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Regulations & legal advice

International trade often involves complex regulations and legislation. In collaboration with the regional institutions, the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency formulates an answer to various questions:

  • import and export regulations
  • purchase contracts and terms of delivery
  • health standards
  • standardisation
  • tax obligations
  • payment techniques

The Agency also supports regional initiatives aimed at proactively informing businesses, in particular through seminars and presentations.

Competences of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency

Article 2 of Annex 1 to the Cooperation Agreement provides that, with regard to information and documentation regarding regulatory and legal requirements, the Agency is responsible for the following matters:

  • export (Belgian and European regulations)
  • system of sales and contractual obligations
  • product control: health standards and standardisation
  • tax obligations (customs and indirect taxes)
  • business practices
  • sales and distribution
  • export and import in Belgium
  • industrial property
  • establishment abroad
  • payment rules and trade disputes
Katrien Van Loocke
Legal Counsel
Katrien.Vanloocke@abh-ace.be
+32 2 206 35 50

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  • Tradexplorer map

    The Belgian Foreign Trade Agency has launched an interactive map TRADEXPLORER MAP in favour of exporters, academics and the general public eager to know more about the nature of our trade relations!

  • Meet the European Commission's toolbox

    On the European Commission's Market Access Database (Access2Markets) you can find detailed data on imports into many countries outside the EU. This website provides information not only on import duties but also on specific requirements (which documents do I need to present at customs clearance?) for imports into a whole range of countries outside the European Union. It is one of the most interesting starting points for the European exporter and/or importer.

  • European and Belgian contact points for tariff and non-tariff barriers

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Legal alerts and information

  1. Legal information

    TRADEXPLORER MAP

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    The Belgian Foreign Trade Agency has launched an interactive map TRADEXPLORER MAP in favour of exporters, academics and the general public eager to know more about the nature of our trade relations!
  3. Legal information

    TRIS (Technical Regulation Information System) - reacting to foreign notification

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    La Directive 2015/1535 prévoit un outil d’information, de prévention et de dialogue relatif aux projets de règles techniques nationales qui impactent la libre circulation des biens et services de la société de l’information. Lorsqu’un Etat membre prévoit d’adopter un tel projet, il doit le notifier à la Commission européenne et

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