News item | 07-04-2025 | 17:00
Researchers and master students who want to work with sensitive knowledge in the Netherlands may only do so after they have been screened by the government. That is stated in the new bill Screening knowledge safetythat goes into internet consultation today. The bill was announced in the government program.
Minister Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) is the submitter of the bill, also on behalf of Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) and in accordance with Minister Beljaarts (Economic Affairs).
Bruins: “Knowledge is power, and so we have to protect our knowledge. By screening very focused people who want access to knowledge that is very important for our country, we prevent that knowledge leaks away. I want to do that carefully, together with knowledge institutions. Only then can we really take a good step for our safety and at the same time retain the open and international character of our science. That is crucial.”
Targeted screening to preserve the open character of science
The new bill stipulates which knowledge and technology areas the risks for our national security are greatest. Think of AI, nuclear, quantum, biotechnology, microchips, but also other technology with a possible military application. The law regulates that universities, colleges and other research institutions, such as TNO, look into their organization where people work with that sensitive knowledge or technology. That is tailor -made. Many knowledge institutions do not work with such technology, with the other with one project or laboratory and not with the other. Knowledge institutions determine that soon, so that there is no unnecessary screening. International cooperation between scientists is crucial, there must be plenty of room for that.
As soon as the law is in force, every new researcher or master’s student, regardless of origin, wants to work in a place where there is sensitive knowledge or technology, first pass through a screening. Such a screening is a kind of tailor-made risk assessment. The cabinet has asked the Creator Authority Justis to perform the screening. Justis does an implementation test for this, in which Justis will investigate whether she can carry out the new screening and what is needed for this. The government attaches great importance to the feasibility of the law. Based on first estimates, it would be about eight thousand screening per year.
Screening is needed
Universities and knowledge institutions have taken many measures in recent years to keep their knowledge safe. For example, they are more careful with certain international collaborations, and they take more safety measures. Safety consciousness among scientists has risen sharply, which helps every day against the unwanted leaking of important knowledge from our country. But scientists can’t do it alone. Just like countries around us and elsewhere in the world, the Netherlands is therefore taking the next step: screening scientists. And that is necessary. Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) is the co-inventor of the bill.
Van Weel: “We see that foreign powers are increasingly focused on Dutch knowledge and technology. They want to use our technological knowledge to improve their weapons, or use it as strategic power means. And they also send that by researchers and students here, or putting them under pressure here to transfer information. That is why we first make good knowledge and technology to the most sensitful to the most sensitics for the most sensitful to the most sensitology for the most sensitology. Threats from outside.
Law in force as soon as possible
Today The bill in internet consultation. That means that everyone can give their opinion, also parties who will have to deal with the screening. This way the bill can be further improved. The law then goes to the Council of State and to Parliament for handling. The intention is that the law comes into effect as quickly as possible, aim is mid -2027, provided that it is feasible.