Belgium: Resources
globalEDGE Exclusive
This document focuses on the Belgium Distribution Act and how it affects both parties involved in transactions. It specifies the terms of ending an agreement and the proper procedures for doing so. In addition, the Belgium Agency Act is discussed as well as how it applies to ending an agency agreement. The Belgian Precontractual Information Act is also described in length. Prepared by: Marx Van Ranst Vermeersch & Partners.
Government Resources
Regulatory Agency Sites
The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) supervises both the postal and telecommunications sectors. BIPT sets standards for producers, such as prices, tariffs, and equipment standards, as well as solve consumer complaints and disputes. The BIPT site contains information about internet, television, radio, and post services.
The Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Safety, and Environment is responsible for overseeing and regulating Belgium's healthcare, food, and beverage industries. The site contains information about food safety, healthcare, the health of animals and plants, and the health of the environment. Food regulations are addressed for specific food production aspects and are downloadable in PDF. Some parts of the site are not available in English.
The Financial Services and Market Authority (FSMA) is responsible for regulating and overseeing the Belgian financial services industry. This site is broken up into two major sections, one with information for consumers and the other with information for professionals. The consumer section covers general topics like savings, investments, and pensions; also offered here are fraud warnings and a portal to file complaints. The professional section offers information on major target groups, a business portal, and a link to the Belgian Audit Oversight College document collection on financial supervisory regulations. Other sections on the site cover recent news and warnings relevant to the financial industry.
The Flemish Regulator for the Media (VRM) consists of a chamber that regulates telecommunications in Belgium. The VRM can issue or suspend licenses to radio broadcasting networks, determine relevant markets for the broadcasts, supervise legislation compliance, and protect consumers by solving disputes.
The Media Council of the German-Speaking Community of Belgium is responsible for regulating audio-visual media among German speakers in Belgium. The council governs the broadcasting sector by granting licenses to operators, setting equipment standards, monitoring compliance with legislation and standards, managing the radio frequency spectrum, and encouraging technological innovations. Some information is only available in German.
The Superior Audiovisual Council (CSA) regulates the audiovisual sector in Belgium for non-German speaking citizens. The council mainly assigns broadcasting licenses for TV and radio, monitors operators' compliance with laws, and ensures quality, appropriate broadcasts. Only available in French.
The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy's (BIRA-IASB) main tasks are research and public service in space aeronomy. BIRA-IASB designs instruments to monitor atmospheres and the space environment. They also operate Belgian experiments on many international satellites. The site includes a research section covering the solar system, global change, and space missions.
Other Resources
Created by the combination of Invest in Brussels and Brussels Export, Brussels Invest and Export serves as the investment and export promotion agency for Brussels, the capital region of Belgium. On the investment promotion side, the agency provides information to foreign companies about investment opportunities and insight on how to set up and operate a business in the region. On the export promotion side, the agency provides advice and consulting services to Brussels-based companies looking to export. Additional information on the agency's website includes a news feed and an array of resources in the useful links section.
The Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce is an umbrella organization for the different economic commerce chambers in Belgium. The site contains links, business information, and news about local chambers of commerce as well as Belgian chambers of commerce located abroad.
Flanders Investment and Trade is the investment and export promotion agency for Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern region of Belgium. The agency provides advice and guidance to outside companies looking to invest in Flanders and Flemish companies wanting to export. The agency's website contains more information on its services, a listing of valuable resources regarding business environment, sectors, and activities, Flanders investment news, and contact information for companies interested in their services.