In practice, national central banks should follow the principle that where there is doubt, the European functions take precedence. Not just national tasks, but national regulations too can differ from their European equivalents. In principle, a conflict between national and European regulations is prevented by inclusion in the Bank Act 1998 of exceptions to general Dutch law which are specifically based on the Treaty.
Nonetheless, some provisions in the Dutch Civil Code might still conflict with the Treaty or the Statute of the European System of Central Banks. The Bank Act 1998 hence contains the provision that where this occurs, the provisions of the Dutch Civil Code shall not apply to the Bank.