The EU Data Act now applies | Key Compliance Points for Businesses selling Connected Products and Services
The Data Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/2854) applies across the EU as from 12 September 2025. It reshapes access to and use of data generated by connected products and related services and the design by default of these connected products and related services, introduces pre-contractual information obligations, tightens contract fairness rules (B2B) and sets essential requirements […]
Two years of FDI Screening in Belgium: What’s New?
The Federal Public Service of Economy (“Federale Overheidsdienst Economie” / “Service public fédéral Economie”) has published its second annual report on the Belgian Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) screening mechanism, covering the period from 1 July 2024 up until 30 June 2025. The report demonstrates a system that is consolidating and evolving in its second year […]
The European Commission invites stakeholders’ feedback on new technology transfer rules
Introduction The European Commission is currently seeking public feedback by 23 October 2025 on its proposed updates to the rules that govern how companies in the EU share technology with one another. These rules – known as the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation (nr. 316/2014; “TTBER” – see publication in the Official Journal of the […]
Protection of national trademarks against stocking elsewhere within the European Union
CJEU clarifies that a national trademark holder can prevent a third party from stocking infringing goods in another Member State if those goods are intended for sale in the country where the trademark is protected. In a judgment of 1 August 2025 (C-76/24), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) clarified the scope […]
Belgium’s Proposed Capital Gains Tax on Financial Assets
Introduction Despite its overall high tax burden, Belgium was one of the few countries worldwide that didn’t have a general capital gains tax for individuals. The introductions of a capital gains tax by the Arizona coalition thus marks a significant shift in tax policy. Starting January 1, 2026, capital gains on shares & other financial […]
TVA à 6 % : un levier fiscal pour reconstruire durablement en Belgique
Depuis le 1er juillet 2025, un nouveau régime de TVA s’applique aux opérations de démolition et de reconstruction de logements en Belgique. Cette mesure, introduite par la loi-programme du 18 juillet 2025, vise à rendre les projets immobiliers plus accessibles, à encourager la construction de logements durables et à sécuriser les investissements des promoteurs immobiliers. Dans […]
Budget Mobilité en Belgique | Nouveautés 2026
Le budget mobilité permet aux travailleurs qui disposent ou peuvent prétendre à une voiture de société d’échanger ce droit contre un budget qu’ils peuvent répartir librement entre trois piliers : une voiture de société respectueuse de l’environnement, des moyens de transport durables et /ou certains frais de logement et enfin, le solde éventuel non utilisé, qu’ils peuvent […]
Guidance on Cross-Selling in Insurance
In May 2025, the FSMA and FPS Economy jointly issued an extensive practical guide on cross-selling practices which include at least one insurance product (the “ Guide”). The Guide also includes an FAQ. Multiple fragmented rules apply to cross-selling in the insurance sector, making this guide a useful tool for navigating and understanding those rules. […]
New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) | Less than a year before entry into application
The Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) was adopted on 19 December 2024 and will apply from 12 August 2026. It replaces the existing Directive 94/62/EC and, as directly applicable regulation, will apply uniformly across Member States. The PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste, improve recyclability of packaging and harmonise standards across […]
EU Pay Transparency Directive | Simont Braun and Pihr AB Join Forces
Simont Braun is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with Pihr, Europe’s fastest-growing pay equity software. This collaboration brings together Simont Braun’s trusted legal expertise and advisory services with Pihr’s advanced technology and proven capabilities in pay audits and rewards advisory. This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment, as Belgium prepares for the full implementation […]
EU General Court’s “ICELAND” Ruling | A Blow to Trade Mark Protection for Geographical Names
On 16 July 2025, the General Court delivered an important judgment in case T-105/23 confirming the invalidity of the EU word mark “ICELAND” for a broad range of goods and services. This decision highlights the significant challenges for businesses trying to register country names and geographical terms as trade marks in the EU. It reinforces […]
Belgium’s New Exit Tax on Shareholders
As of 1 July 2025, Belgium will implement a new exit tax regime that will significantly alter the tax treatment of cross-border corporate mobility. This measure is part of the coalition agreement of the Arizona government and is currently pending before parliament. The measure extends the concept of a deemed liquidation to shareholders of companies […]