Social Criminal Law: Higher Fines and Clearer Consequences of Aggravating Factors
On 19 December 2025, the Belgian legislator adopted an Act regarding some reforms to the social criminal law. This Act entered into force on 1 February 2026 and applies to offences committed from that date onwards.
Streamlining regulatory oversight through the Digital Fitness Check: why better cooperation mechanisms are necessary
Why is the Commission taking a step back to look at the digital rulebook now? Over the past decade, the European Union has built an extensive digital rulebook. From data protection and cybersecurity to online platforms, artificial intelligence and data…
Criminal provisions in the Belgian Companies and Associations Code
The Belgian Companies and Associations Code (CAC) contains far-reaching criminal provisions that have a direct impact on corporate housekeeping. Directors (including de facto directors) and legal representatives of Belgian branch offices face significant personal risk if they fail to comply…
EU Environmental Omnibus: A brief look at Omnibus VIII and its proposed simplifications to key environmental obligations
2025 was an interesting year for sustainability from a legislative and policy perspective. The European Commission's (the "Commission") focus on competitiveness and simplification has led to the publication of a number of omnibus packages, proposing to simplify existing legislation across several key areas – sustainability, agriculture, digitalisation, defence and chemicals.
Digital Omnibus and AI Act updates Key implications for MedTech
On 19 November 2025, the European Commission (EC) presented the Digital Omnibus on AI Regulation Proposal (AI Proposal). Adopted as part of the Digital Omnibus Package, the AI Proposal introduces targeted amendments to Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act) aimed at…
New rules in relation to work incapacity Strengthened Return-to- Work Policy and Reintegration Trajectory 3.0: What Changes as of 1 January 2026
From 1 January 2026, new rules govern work incapacity and the reintegration of employees in Belgium. The legislative changes are part of the governmentʼs overall plan regarding the prevention and reintegration of employees with long-term work incapacity.
Wat is er veranderd voor de autonome garantie, de borgtocht en andere persoonlijke zekerheden?
Met de inwerkingtreding van Boek 9, titel 1 “Persoonlijke zekerheden” van het nieuw Burgerlijk Wetboek per 1 januari 2026 kregen de persoonlijke zekerheden een update.
Cyber Resilience Act – Reporting Obligations for Manufacturers almost applicable, does it concern me?
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) aims to ensure that manufacturers design more cyber-secure products and make it easier for users to keep those products in a secure state throughout their lifecycle.
Employment law reforms 2026 – 3 key takeaways
On 9 December 2025, the Belgian federal government approved legislation introducing reforms to the labour market and employment law.
European Commission Proposes Biotech Act to Boost Health Biotechnology in the EU
On December 16, 2025, the European Commission published its proposal for a regulation establishing a European Biotech Act to strengthen the EU's biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors with a primary focus on health.
Employment Law Updates: The new European Works Councils Directive and New Flemish Compliance Duties
The European works council was introduced in 1994. In multinationals, topics can have an impact on the workers in several EU member states, so it can also be useful to organise a staff information or consultation process at European level.
De nakende inwerkingtreding van Boek 7: bijzondere aandachtspunten voor de bedrijfsjurist
Op 16 april 2024 werd een eerste wetsvoorstel ingediend; een aangepast wetsvoorstel volgde op 20 februari 2025. De Raad van State formuleerde zijn advies met een aantal kritische opmerkingen op 28 april 2025.
Het voorgestelde Boek 7 BW is opgebouwd in zeven titels, die de belangrijkste bijzondere overeenkomsten systematisch harmoniseren en integreren, met vier leidende beginselen: vereenvoudiging, herstructurering en integratie, coherentie en rechtsvergelijking.
Deactivation of mailbox and phone number after termination of employment. DPA reiterates strict guidelines
In its decision of 7 October 2025, the Litigation Chamber of the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) confirms its strict guidelines on closing professional mailboxes and linked email accounts upon termination of employment. The DPA ruled that similar principles apply…
Automatic data collection mechanisms for tax purposes and their potential violation of the GDPR – does the FATCA case undermine the Belgian datamining proposal?
The mother of most automatic data collection mechanisms is the so-called Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), adopted in 2010. The FACTA requires that non-US financial institutions, and certain other non-financial institutions, to report foreign assets held by their US account holders to fight tax evasion and fraud. These account holders include individuals whose only link to the US is their place of birth, often referred to as “accidental Americans”. If the non-US entities fail to comply, they are subject to a significant withholding rate of 30% on US-originated fund flows.
Eerste FAQ over de Cyber Resilience Act
The authors of this blog are participating in the EU-funded project CRACY, helping SMEs understand and comply with the Cyber Resilience Act.
On 3 December 2025, the European Commission has adopted a frequently asked questions document on the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), providing further clarification and examples on how manufacturers should approach the forthcoming compliance obligations for their products with digital elements (PDEs).