The Coalition Agreement – What changes on the Legal front?

In a previous post, we already discussed the main tax-related novelties included in the new federal coalition agreement for 2025-2029.

1. UBO Register: Administrative simplification

As part of a broader project on “administrative simplification” for citizens and businesses included in the coalition agreement, it is notable that the existing legislation on the UBO register will be amended.

The aim of the UBO legislation remains to prevent fraud, but the new government also wants to reduce the existing (and not insignificant) administrative burden on businesses and organizations.

For example, the intention is to facilitate the transmission of information and updates from other databases (notary, CBE, etc.), so that this information is automatically included in the UBO register, rather than having to be entered separately each time.

2. Digital evolution at Just-on-Web

The Just-on-Web portal of the FPS Justice will also be expanded. This will enable associations and companies to electronically submit and consult not only their annual accounts but also private amendment deeds in the future.

3. Evaluation of the Companies and Associations Code (CAC)

The new government will also review the Companies and Associations Code (CAC). A thorough evaluation of the existing texts will be conducted, with extra attention to non-profits and their specific legal needs.

Read more about this in our non-profit checklist.

4. Fight against greenwashing: Misleading sustainability claims punished

Sustainability claims will be more strictly monitored. From now on, so-called “greenwashing” (where a company portrays itself as more socially responsible than it actually is) will explicitly be considered a “misleading commercial practice” under Book 6 of the Economic Law Code (ELC). This means that companies must be able to substantiate their sustainability claims before making them.

Our ESG experts are available for any questions regarding this matter.

5. Modernization of the Breyne Law

The government plans to modernize the so-called “Breyne Law,” which regulates the construction of homes and offers extensive protection to prospective builders or buyers of a new home.

The purpose of this modernization is to further protect consumers by closing existing loopholes and improving law enforcement. A legal protection scheme will also be introduced for shell and renovation projects, benefiting consumers who wish to renovate or rebuild.

6. Faster procedures for consumer disputes

The coalition agreement also highlights efforts to introduce a shortened judicial procedure for so-called consumer disputes. Additionally, efforts will be made to simplify procedural rules for “out-of-court dispute resolution.” With these measures, the government aims to reduce prolonged legal uncertainty and costs for consumers.

7. Supply contracts in the hospitality sector

The government intends to address the “imbalances” in supply contracts between businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.

8. Optimization of judicial procedural rules

The government aims to review the numerous procedural rules and explore ways to make them more efficient and faster. For example, the introductory hearing should be utilized more effectively.

These (and other) measures from the new coalition agreement must, of course, still be translated into concrete legislation. As soon as specific topics become more concrete, we will keep you informed.

Contact our PKF BOFIDI Legal experts

Do you have questions about what these new measures could mean for your business? Contact our experts—they will be happy to assist you.

This article was written by Tim Fransen, head of non-profit.