News
The new Product Liability Directive
The new Product Liability Directive (“PLD”) replaced the old Product Liability Directive (Directive 85/375/EEC) and aims to bring the European Union’s product liability regime ‘up to speed’ with the digital age, circular economy business models and global supply chains. It also focuses on improving the harmonisation of the common rules on liability for defective products and tackling the difficulties faced by victims when gathering evidence to prove product liability. This blog focuses on the main changes the PLD brings. Entry into force The […]
Be ready for the long-awaited Flemish duty of care obligation in the construction sector: update your agreements and compliance procedures now
From 1 January 2026, a duty of care obligation applies to clients [1] and (sub)contractors active in the construction sector [2]. Some years ago, the Flemish government launched the idea of optimising contractor chain responsibility schemes in case of illegal employment, but actual implementation has taken some time. In the meantime, the obligations have been […]
BCA publishes draft guidance on the application of competition rules to public procurement — join us to discuss what it means in practice
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has published a draft guidance document for public buyers on the application of competition rules to public procurement — a clear signal that competition compliance in tenders is a priority, not only for bidders but also for public buyers. The draft guidance is currently subject to a public consultation until […]
Belgian Parliament has adopted urgent 2026 healthcare budget measures: what’s the impact on the pharma industry?
Over the Christmas break, the Belgian Parliament adopted an urgent law with several measures linked to the approved 2026 healthcare budget, with effect from 1 January 2026. The law is intentionally limited to provisions that must enter into force immediately to ensure that the required savings and revenues are available from the start of the […]
1/1/2026: Take a look at your autonomous lease guarantees with the entry into force of Title1 of Book IX of the Belgian Civil Code
As of 1 January 2026, Title 1 “Personal securities” of Book IX “Securities” of the new Belgian Civil Code has entered into force and does apply to all new personal securities being vested (even in relation to a principal agreement which is already in place before such date). This is important for any autonomous guarantee […]
EU Reaches Pharma Package Deal: Key Changes at a Glance
On 11 December 2025, following overnight negotiations, the Council and the European Parliament announced a political agreement on the long-awaited Pharma Package (see here). The reform seeks to update the EU’s pharmaceutical rulebook to facilitate access to safe and affordable treatments and bolster the life sciences sector’s competitiveness. While more detailed information is still trickling […]
The circulation of judgments between Belgium and the United Kingdom: towards a new balance under the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention?
Brexit dismantled the Brussels I Recast regime for the UK and resulted in a fragmented framework of domestic rules and a residual treaty. However, the entry into force of the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention for the UK partially restores judicial cooperation in the post-Brexit era. The Brussels I recast regime Before Brexit, the United Kingdom […]
The 10 EUR meal voucher is officially here
In its Coalition Agreement, the government had already announced that during this legislative term, the maximum amount of meal vouchers would be increased twice by 2 EUR. A first increase – from 8 EUR to a maximum of 10 EUR – was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 17 November 2025. As of 1 […]
Belgian Constitutional Court strikes down pharma industry ‘unavailability contribution’
The Belgian Constitutional Court (“CC”), on 6 November 2025, annulled some provisions of the Law of 18 May 2024 containing various provisions on health and finance, striking down the pharma industry ‘unavailability contribution’. Background Parts of the above Law sought to protect patients from bearing additional costs when reimbursable medicines become unavailable and must be […]
A medical certificate: not always what it seems
When an employee is unable to work due to illness, the employer may request a medical certificate. This obligation usually stems from the work rules. A medical certificate confirms the incapacity for work and its likely duration. In addition, the medical certificate also clarifies whether an employee is allowed to leave their place of residence. […]
Pay more to your employees and less to the social security regime : the social security contribution exemption for high wages
In Belgium, employers’ social security contributions have always been due on an employee’s full uncapped salary. The Programme Act of 18 July 2025 caused a ‘minor earthquake’ by introducing, for the first time, a cap on employers’ social security contributions providing that, from 1 July 2025, no basic employer contributions would be due anymore on […]
Belgium’s Pre-Pack Procedure: A Two-Year Reality Check
Legal framework Pre-packaged sales, or “pre-packs,” have long been utilized in the United Kingdom and the United States as a restructuring mechanism that enables the sale of a distressed business to be arranged prior to the commencement of formal insolvency proceedings. The objective is to preserve the company’s value by facilitating its sale as a […]