Textbook market not functioning properly, regulator concludes

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has issued a critical report stating that the school textbook market is failing to function properly. Investigations reveal that prices for learning materials have risen faster than comparable goods over the past seven years, while publishers increasingly rely on forced bundling, where schools must purchase unwanted paper books alongside digital materials. Furthermore, the market is dominated by a few large publishers, such as Noordhoff, Malmberg, and ThiemeMeulenhoff, which hold a combined market share of over 75 percent, limiting competition and innovation.

The ACM suggests that schools must play a more active role in improving the market by carefully evaluating the price and quality of materials. While many schools are hesitant to switch publishers due to long-term contracts and the effort required to implement new lesson plans, the regulator encourages collective purchasing and closer scrutiny during the upcoming national curriculum reforms. Although the ACM currently does not plan enforcement actions, it urges publishers to end socially undesirable sales strategies and calls on schools to adopt a more rigorous procurement policy.