How we operate

In some cases, CPB does not have to forward requests from applicants other than those by the States General to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). This applies if these requests are of a confidential nature, for example to test the applicant’s own ideas. Applicants may choose not to publicise the results of confidential requests if, for example, the results are negative for them. This may, for example concern calculations of own proposals or alternative budget proposals on behalf of parliamentary parties. Also for social partners, own ideas are sometimes confidentially analysed for their effects. As soon as the requesting party shares the information from analyses with others, for example, if this information is used in the public debate, the request and related analyses will no longer be considered confidential and will be published by CPB.

CPB may receive requests to carry out research work outside its official Work Plan. These requests can originate from cabinet ministers, in the first place, but may also come from the States General, social partners, independent administrative bodies, international organisations and political parties.
CPB will only consider such requests if:
a)    they are not in conflict with public interests;
b)    they are not from commercial organisations; 
c)    they contribute to enhancing the public task of CPB as one of the assessment agencies;
d)    the availability of expertise and databases make CPB the obvious choice for conducting the requested research;
e)    CPB and the requesting party come to an agreement that will safeguard CPB’s independence; 
f)    general publication of the resulting research is guaranteed, with the exception of requests that are of a confidential nature.
When accepting a request, CPB also takes the available capacity into account. This means that if, for example, a political party has already submitted a sizeable request, priority will be given to other applicants in care of subsequent requests.