Philippe de Jong

New year, new policy: CPVO updates its public access to documents policy

The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) recently revised its public access to documents policy to align with the European Union (EU)’s evolving transparency standards. Effective since 15 January 2025, the new policy seeks to ensure broad access to all documents that the CPVO holds, while protectin

European Commission proposes new PPP labelling requirements

On 6 January 2025, the European Commission published a draft proposal to further harmonise labelling requirements for plant protection products (PPPs) in the EU. The proposal aims to repeal existing rules and introduce new requirements, including mandatory digital labelling. Final changes may still

Belgium gears up to enforce the EU Deforestation Regulation

Belgium has amended its Product Standards Law to align with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), introducing penalties and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance. Despite opposition from some Member States seeking delays, the EUDR’s implementation timeline is expected to remain on track.

Employers are obliged to pay a contribution to the Back to Work Fund

Employers must notify the ‘Back to Work Fund’ and pay EUR 1,800 for each termination due to medical force majeure. This contribution funds vouchers for employees to access career guidance or coaching. Non-compliance could lead to hefty fines.

EU Court of Justice: Parallel importer may not remove PPP batch number

This blog post mainly focuses on the CJEU’s findings regarding the responsibility of parallel importers for ensuring the display of the original batch number on the product packaging.

Three changes in Belgian food law in 2023

In this short article, we look at three developments in Belgian food law that have taken place in 2023: the amendments to the Food Safety Agency’s administrative fining regime, the introduction of nutrivigilance, and the announced revision of the food hygiene legislation.

Three changes in Belgian food law in 2023

In this short article, we look at three developments in Belgian food law that have taken place in 2023: the amendments to the Food Safety Agency’s administrative fining regime, the introduction of nutrivigilance, and the announced revision of the food hygiene legislation.

Two changes in Belgian food law in 2023

Food law is extensively harmonized throughout the EU, but national law still has a role to play. In this short article, we look at two developments in Belgian food law that have taken place in 2023.

EU harmonizes THC limits in hemp seed (food) as from 1 January 2023 – Update Belgium

The EU regulator has harmonized the maximum levels for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hemp seeds throughout the Union within the food contaminants framework. This EU harmonization puts pressure on conservative national food laws such as the Belgian Royal Decree of 31 August 2021.

EU Parliament passes sweeping due diligence rules on deforestation-free supply chains for products

An EU Regulation on the making available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (“Deforestation Regulation”) was agreed upon by the EU legislators in December 2022.

EU harmonizes THC limits in hemp seed (food) as from 1 January 2023

Hemp seeds have been eaten in the EU for a long time. The seeds may contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) because this cannabinoid is a natural constituent of the cannabis plant from which the seeds originate. The EU has decided to harmonize the maximum levels for THC in hemp.

EU harmonizes THC limits in hemp seed (food) as from 1 January 2023

Hemp seeds have been eaten in the EU for a long time. The seeds may contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) because this cannabinoid is a natural constituent of the cannabis plant from which the seeds originate. The EU has decided to harmonize the maximum levels for THC in hemp.