ALTIUS

Screws loose? The CJEU weighs in on a trade mark parody gone political

CJEU judgment in Case C-298/23: can political parody of a reputed trade mark constitute 'due cause'? Key takeaways for brand owners and IP counsel.

Implementation of AIFMD II in Belgium and new flexibilities for UCITS and AIFs

The Belgian legislator has been busy over the summer. Although Belgium missed the 16 April 2026 deadline for transposing AIFMD II (Directive (EU) 2024/927), it completed the implementation with the Law of 22 July 2026...

Belgium Transposes the EmpCo Directive: Consumer Law Gets Tougher on Greenwashing

After a long wait, Belgium has adopted the act transposing the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (the “EmpCo Directive”) into national law. It prohibits certain practices related to environmental claims and expands information obligations towards consumers.

Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series (Part 3): ‘Bill containing various provisions on health’

In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered...

Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series (Part 3): ‘Bill containing various provisions on health’

In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered...

Limited payment terms in B2B relationships

In February 2022, new legislation came into force amending the Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment in commercial transactions[1]. This Act introduces stricter rules designed to combat late payment in commercial transactions, i.e. between businesses (B2B), with a view to protecting ...

Belgian Pharma Law Blog Series (Part 2): the new ‘Article 10 guidance’ on pharmaceutical promotion

In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered...

Belgian Pharma Law Blog Series (Part 1): the Act of 30 May 2026

In our Belgian Pharma Law Summer Blog Series, we examine recent developments in Belgian pharmaceutical law. Whether you are looking for an informative summer read or a concise overview of the latest legal developments to catch up on after the holidays, our series has you covered.

New Flemish Fee for Single Permit Applications from 1 September 2026

As of 1 September 2026, employers applying for a single permit in the Flemish Region will be required to pay a retribution of EUR 180 per application. The retribution applies to both first applications and renewals and will be collected via the One-Stop Counter (“Uniek Loket” / “Guichet Unique”) ...

Are you up-to-date with the new rules on voluntary overtime hours?

New Belgian law (1 June 2026, retroactive to 1 April 2026) raises voluntary overtime from 220 to 360 hours/year (450 in hospitality), with 240 hours tax/social-security-free. Written agreements now last 1 year, auto-renewing. Stricter rules apply for part-time staff.

The ‘Withdraw Here’ Button: Now a legal obligation for webshops

Belgian online traders must incorporate a mandatory online withdrawal function by 19 June 2026.

Auto-renewing a consumer contract? From 1 May 2027, prior notice is required

Belgium’s Act of 20 April 2026 introduces a new notification obligation for businesses that use automatic renewal clauses in fixed-term B2C contracts. From 1 May 2027, businesses must inform consumers at least 15 days before the consumer’s deadline to object to a renewal...

Retail promotions & pricing: Sales periods: rules, restrictions, and compliance (update May 2026)

This article is an updated version of Chapter 2 originally from our 2025 blog series “Retail promotions & pricing: legal essentials for businesses” and was revised in May 2026 following the Council of State‘s decisions of 20 May 2026 to annul fines imposed on textile retailers for breaching ...

CJEU: Settlement Agreements With Commercial Agents During Notice Period at Risk

For years, many businesses have followed the same playbook when ending a commercial agency relationship: send the termination notice, then use the notice period to negotiate a quick, cost-effective settlement before things get complicated. On 23 April 2026 Europe’s highest court put a definitive ...

New EU sample retention rules coming up for veterinary medicines repackaged for parallel trade

The Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulation (EU) 2019/6 has applied in the EU since 28 January 2022, replacing Directive 2001/82/EC. The new rules on good manufacturing practice (GMP) will in turn be fleshed out by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2091, which will apply from 16 July ...

The CEPANI 2026 Arbitration Rules: 5 Key Changes

CEPANI, the Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, has issued new Arbitration Rules entering into force on 1 June 2026, building on the modernisation achieved in the 2020 revision with the core objective of delivering a clearer, more efficient dispute resolution framework...

EU General Court bars patient association from challenging medicine authorisation refusal

In Case T‑278/25, the EU General Court recently dismissed as inadmissible a challenge brought by a patient advocacy association against the European Commission’s refusal to renew the conditional marketing authorisation for a treatment against Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The case is ...

Despite harmonisation, EU countries may require approval for pharmacy-made medicines

Under EU pharmaceutical law, certain medicines fall outside the scope of Directive 2001/83/EC (i.e. the Community code on medicinal products for human use). This includes “magistral formulae” (prepared in a pharmacy for an individual patient on prescription) and “officinal formulae” ...

16 April 2026: AIFMD II Finally Takes Effect

After years of legislative process, the local transposition deadline of 16 April 2026 for AIFMD II (Directive 2024/927/EU) has finally arrived. This marks a significant milestone for the investment fund industry across the European Union, bringing with it a range of important changes for both ...

EU General Court: technical vaccine data does not have to be disclosed on request

The EU General Court delivered a significant judgment concerning access to documents held by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), this time relating to a conditionally authorised COVID-19 vaccine. This case (T-623/22) serves as an addition to the elaborate case law on the balance between ...

Belgium’s healthcare plans for 2026 – and where pharma fits in

Every year, Belgium’s federal ministers publish their policy notes for discussion in Parliament. They give a high-level snapshot of what each minister plans to focus on in the coming year. For the pharmaceutical industry, the healthcare policy note is usually the one to watch. Interestingly, ...

New EU De-minimis Registration Obligation: What Businesses Receiving Public Subsidies Need to Know

As of 1 January 2026, the administrative landscape for de-minimis aid in the EU has changed significantly. Businesses that receive public subsidies should understand how this new system works – and what it means in practice.

A Protocol for IP Disputes at the Brussels Enterprise Court

The Dutch-speaking Enterprise Court of Brussels has long been a central forum for intellectual property litigation in Belgium. On 2 March 2026, a protocol entered into force setting out best practices for interactions between lawyers and the court in IP matters. Its aim is straightforward...

Game-changing rules for managing sick leave: What every employer must know now

On 1 January 2026, new legal rules entered into force aimed at accelerating the reintegration of incapacitated employees. They include important changes to the reintegration track and the force majeure track, as well as the obligation for employers to include a procedure for maintaining contact ...

The new Product Liability Directive

The new Product Liability Directive (“PLD”) replaced the old Product Liability Directive (Directive 85/375/EEC) and aims to bring the European Union’s product liability regime ‘up to speed’ with the digital age, circular economy business models and global supply chains. It also focuses on ...

Be ready for the long-awaited Flemish duty of care obligation in the construction sector

From 1 January 2026, a duty of care obligation applies to clients and (sub)contractors active in the construction sector. Some years ago, the Flemish government launched the idea of optimising contractor chain responsibility schemes in case of illegal employment, but actual implementation ...

Belgian Parliament has adopted urgent 2026 healthcare budget measures: impact on the pharma industry

Over the Christmas break, the Belgian Parliament adopted an urgent law with several measures linked to the approved 2026 healthcare budget, with effect from 1 January 2026. The law is intentionally limited to provisions that must enter into force immediately to ensure that the required savings ...

1/1/2026: Take a look at your autonomous lease guarantees with the entry into force of Title1 of Boo

As of 1 January 2026, Title 1 “Personal securities” of Book IX “Securities” of the new Belgian Civil Code has entered into force and does apply to all new personal securities being vested (even in relation to a principal agreement which is already in place before such date)...

EU Reaches Pharma Package Deal: Key Changes at a Glance

On 11 December 2025, following overnight negotiations, the Council and the European Parliament announced a political agreement on the long-awaited Pharma Package (see here). The reform seeks to update the EU’s pharmaceutical rulebook to facilitate access to safe and affordable treatments ...

The circulation of judgments between Belgium and the United Kingdom

Brexit dismantled the Brussels I Recast regime for the UK and resulted in a fragmented framework of domestic rules and a residual treaty. However, the entry into force of the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention for the UK partially restores judicial cooperation in the post-Brexit era.