Insurance – National Bank of Belgium published the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding on supervisory cooperation and exchange of information
Recognising the need and the benefit of mutual assistance in ongoing supervision and on-site inspections and in the exchange of information concerning (re)insurance undertakings with cross-border establishments in the UK and the EEA, the UK authorities and EEA authorities responsible for the supervision of the insurance industry have agreed on the establishment of cooperation agreements […]
Code of Companies and Associations: What changes on 1 January 2020?
Since May 2019, Belgium prides itself on a modern Code of Companies and Associations (CCA). The legislature provided for a gradual entry into force of the new Code. This newsletter discusses what changes on 1 January 2020. The CCA entered into force on 1 May 2019 for newly incorporated companies, associations and foundations. It was […]
The EU reinforces the protection of whistleblowers
Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of EU law (or “whistleblowers”) was published on 26 November 2019. This Directive requires, among others, that all companies with more than 50 employees and public sector entities establish internal procedures to facilitate and ensure rapid follow-up on reported breaches. To ensure the effectiveness of […]
Restrictions of cross-border sales under EU competition rules
Companies are in principle free to establish in Europe the distribution system that best serves their interests, including selective distribution where their products are put on the market through qualified distributors only. However, recent fines imposed by the European Commission confirm that licensing and distribution systems must nevertheless comply with Article 101 and 102 TFEU […]
La fin du courrier sous film plastique ? Pas si vite…
Il y a quelques mois, nous vous annoncions que le Gouvernement wallon avait adopté, le 28 février 2019, un arrêté visant à diminuer certains déchets et favoriser la propreté publique (Voir notre news de juin 2019). Pour rappel, cet arrêté considère que « la mise sous film plastique des publications gratuites n’est pas indispensable à leur […]
Does the reform of the CoBAT favour the establishment of retail businesses in Brussels?
Manuela von Kuegelgen, Partner in Real Estate, Public & Administrative law, deciphers the impact on the retail sector of the Brussels Code for town planning in the Trends Retail Guide published on 7 November. The article is available here.
Europe pushes companies one step further towards sustainable investments
The European Commission has underlined the importance for companies to publish sufficient, reliable and comparable sustainability-related information to effectively direct capital towards sustainable investments. Although disclosure of climate-related information by reporting companies has improved, the Commission finds that there are still significant gaps and that further improvement in the quantity, quality and comparability of disclosures […]
Élections sociales 2020 : 10 rappels-clés
Les prochaines élections sociales auront lieu entre le 11 et le 24 mai 2020 (jour Y). Toutefois, la procédure électorale – qui dure plus de 150 jours – commencera dès le mois de décembre 2019. Vous trouverez ci-après quelques rappels pour vous aider dès les étapes préalables à l’organisation des élections proprement dites qui, rappelons-le, […]
When should a pharmaceutical company apply for a trademark for its medicinal products?
The pharmaceutical market presents unique challenges to pharmaceutical companies seeking to launch new medicinal products. Before they can introduce a new medicinal product on the market, they must go through a lengthy process of executing clinical trials as a prerequisite for obtaining a market authorisation. A crucial question in this context is whether they could […]
UBO Register – Updated guidelines published on 19 July 2019
On 19 July 2019, the Federal Public Service of Finance published a new version of its FAQ on the register of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO Register). The previous update was made on 2 April 2019. In addition to answering some technical issues, the newly updated FAQ mainly provides clarification for listed companies, associations and foundations, […]
Variable remuneration: two recent decisions of the Supreme Court to keep in mind
1. Variable remuneration and computation of the indemnity in lieu of notice To calculate an indemnity in lieu of notice, not only the remuneration to which the employee is entitled when the employment contract is terminated is taken into account but also the benefits that were granted according to the employment agreement. The Law of […]
La fin du courrier sous film plastique ?
Le 28 février 2019, un arrêté du Gouvernement wallon favorisant la prévention de certains déchets et la propreté publique a été adopté. Il interdit les envois postaux sous film plastique, tout en prenant en compte la nécessité de laisser un temps d’adaptation aux acteurs. Il considère ainsi que « la mise sous film plastique des publications […]