Consult the full version of today's offical gazette here. Note that this blog post is not written by a human. It was generated by Artificial Intelligence. Read more about what this blog is here.

Summary of Regulatory Changes from the Belgian Official Gazette (11 July 2025)

1. New Legislation on Personal Securities

A significant regulatory development is the introduction of a new law concerning personal securities, titled "Title 1: Personal Securities" from Book 9 "Securities" of the Civil Code. This law establishes rules governing personal securities, which play a crucial role in financial transactions as guarantees for obligations. Here are key components of this law:

• Definition of Personal Security: A personal security is defined as an obligation by a third party (the guarantor) to secure the payment of a debtor's obligation towards a creditor.
• Types of Personal Security:
• Accessory Personal Security (Guarantee): Dependent on the validity and existing conditions of the guaranteed obligation.
• Autonomous Personal Security: Stipulated terms that do not depend on the guaranteed obligation's validity.
• Scope: The regulations apply to all forms of personal securities, with specific focus on guarantees and obligations providers, particularly addressing consumer protections.
• Consumer Protections: If a consumer provides a personal guarantee, it can only be guaranteed as a surety bond. Any other forms, like an autonomous guarantee, automatically convert into a surety unless otherwise stated.

Example of a Situation That Changed:

Previously, a business could require various types of personal security from consumers, including autonomous guarantees, which could impose high financial risks without proper awareness. The new regulations ensure that only accessory guarantees (surety bonds) can bind consumers, limiting their risks and ensuring all requirements are clearly communicated.

2. Amendments to Anti-Terrorism Financial Regulations

Another important regulatory change is the royal decree modifying the list of individuals and entities under restrictive measures in the fight against terrorism financing. This decree updates previous entries to adjust to current global standards and specific cases impacting Belgium’s approach.

Example of a Situation That Changed:

The update in the list may affect individuals or entities that were previously considered low risk but may now require tighter scrutiny. For instance, an organization that previously enjoyed a clean status may now face restrictions if its connections raise red flags that align with the updated criteria for terrorist financing.

3. Collective Labor Agreements

The Royal Decree from 27 April 2025 establishes a collective labor agreement regarding a union premium for workers in the maritime fishing sector. This agreement is declared universally binding, ensuring all related employers across the sector apply the same labor standards.

Example of a Situation That Changed:

Employers in the maritime fishing sector are now mandated to incorporate this union premium into their wage structures, thus enhancing workers' benefits. A market player who failed to provide such benefits previously must now comply with this universal application.

Conclusion

These regulatory updates reflect ongoing efforts in Belgium to enhance legal frameworks concerning personal liabilities, strengthen measures against terrorism financing, and improve working conditions within specific sectors. The implications for businesses, consumers, and organizations are significant, as they will need to adapt to comply with the new laws and ensure informed participation in agreements.

Analysis

Note that the AI that generated below text was prompted to be critical and foucs on inconsistencies between new regulations and party promises. Always good to be critical towards the government!

Critical Analysis of Inconsistencies in Party Promises and Recent Regulatory Changes

N-VA (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie): N-VA supports accountable governance and the strengthening of the economy, particularly through regulations that protect consumers and promote financial stability. The changes in personal securities, which limit the types of guarantees consumers can provide, align with their commitment to protecting individual rights. However, if these changes are perceived as too restrictive for businesses needing security for transactions, it could conflict with N-VA's promise to support a competitive business environment. Moreover, while they advocate for strict measures against terrorism financing to ensure national security, the implications of extending scrutiny to previously low-risk entities must be managed carefully to avoid overreach, contradicting their focus on proportionality in regulation.

MR (Mouvement Réformateur): MR champions deregulation and economic flexibility. The new regulations concerning personal securities might be seen as adding complexity and limiting business operations, which could contradict their commitment to reducing bureaucratic hurdles. While they may support enhancements to consumer protection, the balance must be struck to ensure these protections do not create obstacles for economic transactions. The modifications to anti-terrorism financial regulations are in line with their advocacy for comprehensive security measures; however, they need to ensure that these regulations are not implemented in ways that unnecessarily infringe on personal freedoms or complicate regulatory compliance for businesses.

CD&V (Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams): CD&V focuses on social responsibility and safeguarding community interests. The amendments to collective labor agreements, including the implementation of a union premium for maritime fishing workers, strongly align with their commitments to improve labor standards and protect worker rights. Nevertheless, if these provisions impose significant financial burdens on employers, especially in a sector struggling with economic challenges, it could contradict their promise of supporting sustainable practices within local economies. Additionally, the focus on strengthening personal liability regulations must ensure that they do not disadvantage honest businesses or burden consumers unnecessarily.

Vooruit: Vooruit emphasizes social equity and the protection of vulnerable populations. The regulatory changes enhancing consumer protections regarding personal securities align with their mission to safeguard the rights of individuals. However, they must remain cautious that the overall cost of compliance for businesses does not lead to increases in service prices that would disproportionately affect low-income consumers. The collective labor agreement benefits align with their commitment to bettering worker conditions but require attention to ensure they are inclusive and do not inadvertently exclude smaller operators who cannot meet the financial demands of compliance.

Les Engagés: Les Engagés promote equitable practices and social responsibility, particularly concerning environmental and economic sustainability. The focus on consumer protections in personal securities reflects their commitment to ethical governance. However, the restrictions on guarantees must be handled sensitively to ensure they do not create barriers for individuals trying to access financial products. The strengthening of labor agreements for maritime workers is a positive development, yet they should be aware that these changes must benefit all workers equitably, avoiding any unintended consequences that might arise from stringent regulatory adjustments.

Conclusion

The regulatory changes in the Belgian Official Gazette highlight essential advancements in consumer protection, labor rights, and financial regulations. While these updates are generally supportive of the promises made by various political parties, inconsistencies emerge, particularly regarding the balance of regulatory oversight and its impact on business operations and consumer access. Each party needs to carefully consider these changes to ensure they uphold their commitments while promoting practical outcomes for their constituents in the evolving regulatory landscape.