News
Game-changing rules for managing sick leave: What every employer must know now
The landscape of employee incapacity has fundamentally shifted. Are you prepared? On 1 January 2026, new legal rules entered into force aimed at accelerating the reintegration of incapacitated employees. They include important changes to the reintegration track and the force majeure track, as well as the obligation for employers to include a procedure for maintaining […]
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BCA publishes draft guidance on the application of competition rules to public procurement — join us to discuss what it means in practice
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has published a draft guidance document for public buyers on the application of competition rules to public procurement — a clear signal that competition compliance in tenders is a priority,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 The draft guidance is currently subject to a public consultation until […]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 […]
Food Hygiene for Fish: EU General Court Requires Scientific Basis to “Clarify” the Law
Food company Mowi Poland successfully challenged the European Commission’s new hygiene rules governing ‘stiffening’—a specialised fish processing technique—on the grounds that the Commission failed to obtain mandatory scientific consultation. While the Commission defended its approach by characterising the measures as mere “clarification” of existing law and citing industry guidelines as support, the EU General Court […]
100 Deals, Zero Rejections: What Belgium’s FDI Report for 2024-2025 Reveals
The Belgian Interfederal Screening Commission (ISC) has released its Annual Report on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Screening 2024–2025, providing valuable insights into how the country has tried between July 2024 and June 2025 to navigate the fine line between remaining an open economy and safeguarding its strategic interests. Almost no corrective measures During this second […]
Combination therapies in Belgium: how to collaborate without breaching competition law
As the landscape of modern medicine evolves, combination therapies—those that use two or more distinct medicines, often from different companies—are becoming increasingly vital, especially in treating complex diseases like cancer. These therapies promise improved clinical outcomes through synergistic mechanisms of action. However, the reimbursement process for such therapies presents significant regulatory and legal challenges, particularly […]
Employer of Record in Belgium: the Flemish Government clarifies its position
Despite the grey legal area in which EoRs operate, their number has continued to grow in recent years. As there is no clear legal framework governing EoR activities in Belgium, the question arose how an EoR should position itself on the Belgian labour market: as a (heavily regulated) temporary work agency, or as a service provider offering HR solutions?
Sports federations again under Belgian Competition Authority scrutiny in two interim measures proceedings
The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has recently ruled on two requests for interim measures against sports federations. Both decisions again highlight that competition rules apply to sports federations and show that interim measures procedures before the BCA can be a powerful tool to change market behaviour before a decision on the merits is taken, even if no interim measures are imposed.
Titanium dioxide: General Court strikes down classification as human carcinogen and ECJ now confirms
The European Commission often relies on scientific evidence for its regulatory decisions. But when challenged, how much deference is owed to the regulator’s interpretation of the underlying science?
REACH obligation to register imported chemicals may be assumed by a person other than the buyer
Under the EU’s REACH Regulation 1907/2006, substances must be registered with the European Chemicals Agency before being imported. The duty to register lies with the importer. In practice, the act of ‘importing’ often involves multiples actors, including the seller, the buyer and various intermediaries who move the goods across borders. So, who then should register […]
Two kiwis a day to chase constipation away – European Commission approves fruit health claim
The European Commission has authorised a new food health claim recognising the digestive health benefits of green kiwifruit. The claim—“Consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency”—has recently been added to the Union list of permitted claims under Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, following a five-year authorisation process. Food-related health claims […]
The future of defence procurement: analysing the proposed amendments to European Directive 2009/81/EC
Referring to the war in Ukraine, the European Commission launched a proposal to amend Directive 2009/81/EC on public procurement in the fields of defence and security. Unlike the public procurement directives for the classical and utilities sectors, this legislation did not receive an update in 2014…
Procurement of medical devices: New measures between the EU and China
Measures imposed by the EU On 30 June 2025, several measures entered into force that were imposed by the European Commission regarding the purchase of medical equipment originating from China. The following two measures apply: Bidders must therefore ensure that goods and services of Chinese origin do not exceed 50% of the total contract value […]
Retail promotions & pricing: legal essentials for retailers | Part 7 – Gift cards: legal considerations and recommendations
This seventh part of our “Retail promotions & pricing: legal essentials for businesses” series presents best practices for issuing gift cards.