News
Screws loose? The CJEU weighs in on a trade mark parody gone political
CJEU’s judgment of 8 September 2026 in Case C-298/23, Inter IKEA Systems BV v Algemeen Vlaams Belang VZW (Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Nederlandstalige Ondernemingsrechtbank Brussel – Brussels Dutch-speaking Business Court, Belgium) 1. Summary of the facts On 14 November 2022, the Belgian far-right political party Vlaams Belang publicly presented, at a press […]
Jan Clinck promoted to partner at ALTIUS
ALTIUS is delighted to announce that Jan Clinck has been promoted to partner as per September 2026. Congratulations Jan!
Implementation of AIFMD II in Belgium and new flexibilities for UCITS and AIFs
The Belgian legislator has been busy over the summer. Although Belgium missed the 16 April 2026 deadline for transposing AIFMD II (Directive (EU) 2024/927), it completed the implementation with the Law of 22 July 2026. In addition to transposing AIFMD II, the Belgian legislator took the opportunity to introduce a number of welcome flexibilities to […]
Belgium Transposes the EmpCo Directive: Consumer Law Gets Tougher on Greenwashing
After a long wait, Belgium has adopted the act transposing the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (the “EmpCo Directive”) into national law. It prohibits certain practices related to environmental claims and expands information obligations towards consumers. The aim of the EmpCo Directive The EmpCo Directive pursues two goals: (1) tackling unfair […]
Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series (Part 3): the recently passed ‘Bill containing various provisions on health’
In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered. Our third and final part examines the ‘Bill containing […]
Limited payment terms in B2B relationships
In February 2022, new legislation came into force amending the Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions[1]. This Act introduces stricter rules designed to combat late payment in commercial transactions, i.e. between businesses (B2B), with a view to protecting businesses from insolvency and abuse and maintaining their cash flow in […]
Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series (Part 2): the new ‘Article 10 guidance’ on pharmaceutical promotion
In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered. Part 2 focuses on the new guidance on the […]
Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series (Part 1): the Act of 30 May 2026 containing various provisions on medicinal and health products
In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered. Part 1 focuses on the Act of 30 May […]
New Flemish Fee for Single Permit Applications from 1 September 2026
As of 1 September 2026, employers applying for a single permit in the Flemish Region will be required to pay a retribution of EUR 180 per application. The retribution applies to both first applications and renewals and will be collected via the One-Stop Counter (“Uniek Loket” / “Guichet Unique”) at the time of submission. Applications […]
Are you up-to-date with the new rules on voluntary overtime hours?
Voluntary overtime hours are popular with employers because they allow them to have their employees perform overtime without any justification ground being required. Whilst the system was rather complex in the past, with two different types of voluntary overtime hours applying, namely “ordinary” voluntary overtime hours and the so-called “relance” overtime hours, it has now […]
The ‘Withdraw Here’ Button: Now a legal obligation for webshops
Belgian online traders must incorporate a mandatory online withdrawal function by 19 June 2026.
Auto-renewing a consumer contract? From 1 May 2027, prior notice is required
Belgium’s Act of 20 April 2026 introduces a new notification obligation for businesses that use automatic renewal clauses in fixed-term B2C contracts. From 1 May 2027, businesses must inform consumers at least 15 days before the consumer’s deadline to object to a renewal.