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Class II Recall: Scabigard Suspension Batches May Fail Efficacy

Zoetis Belgium S.A. has initiated a Class II recall affecting nine batches of Scabigard Suspension for Cutaneous Administration (UK(GB) Vm 42058/5173; UK(NI) Vm 60021/3020), manufactured between June 2024 and January 2025, with expiry dates through December 2026. The defect is that affected batches may not demonstrate the expected signs of take following administration, potentially rendering the product clinically ineffective. VMD published this recall alert on 2 April 2026, and Zoetis is directly contacting wholesalers and veterinarians to quarantine affected stock immediately. End users should return any affected product to the originating veterinary practice.

Four States Ratify 2010 HNS Convention, Advancing Entry Into Force

Belgium, Germany, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Sweden deposited their instruments of ratification to the 2010 HNS Convention on 14 April 2026, bringing the total to 12 Contracting States — meeting the number-of-States criterion for entry into force. The 2010 HNS Convention establishes a liability and compensation regime for damage caused by hazardous and noxious substances carried by sea, with total compensation capped at 250 million SDR (approximately USD $360 million) per event. Shipowners are held strictly liable, must maintain State-certified insurance, and an HNS Fund will pay compensation once shipowner liability is exhausted, financed by post-incident contributions from cargo receivers. The earliest possible entry-into-force date is 30 November 2027, pending confirmation after 31 May 2026 that the 40-million-tonne cargo threshold has been met.

Takeda Pharmaceutical - Implantable Cell Chamber Device, EP4120958A1

The European Patent Office granted Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Patent EP4120958A1 titled 'Implantable Cell Chamber Device and Uses Thereof,' published April 15, 2026. The patent application (filed by inventors LING, Vincent, IMAICHI, Sachiko, PHANEUF, Matthew, LONG, Nathaniel, KASSAB, Rayan, and ROBERTSON, Robbie James) covers technology related to implantable cell chamber devices and their therapeutic applications, with IPC classifications spanning prosthetics (A61F), biomedical materials (A61L), and therapeutic agents (A61P) including gastrointestinal applications. The patent is designated across 31 European member states including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.

Gentuity HF-OCT Imaging System - Potential Repeated Frames During Pullback

Gentuity, LLC initiated a Class II recall of its HF-OCT Imaging System (Model G10-01, software version 23.2.13) on March 23, 2026, after identifying potential repeated frames during pullback when used with Vis-Rx and Vis-Rx Prime catheters. The defect may compromise longitudinal length measurements during OCT imaging. Affected products include 28 US units and 156 units outside the US distributed across 12 states (CA, FL, GA, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX) and countries Belgium and Japan. Urgent recall letters required customers to follow updated instructions in the revised Operator Manual to correct for repeated frames until a software update is installed within 6 months.

Nine Suspects Detained in Customs Fraud Linked to Chinese Imports in Poland

EPPO in Katowice detained nine suspects linked to an organised criminal group involved in customs fraud tied to goods imported from China through the Polish-Belarusian border at Małaszewicze. Four suspects were placed in three-month pre-trial detention, while five were released on conditional bail including a travel ban and mandatory police reporting. Searches of company premises and homes yielded evidence, 25 lorries were seized, and €29,500 in cash was confiscated. The fraudulent scheme—using false transport documentation and shell companies to falsely declare goods in transit to Belgium while they remained in Poland—caused estimated damage of at least €6.6 million in unpaid customs duties and VAT.

Allianz Risk Transfer AG Portfolio Cession to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE

The National Bank of Belgium has published a public notice regarding the portfolio cession from Allianz Risk Transfer AG to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE, published on 17 April 2026. The transfer concerns insurance and reinsurance activities within the supervised financial sector. This notice is available in the Belgian Official Gazette with reference to the public consultation mechanism under Belgian financial supervisory law.

Belgium F-35 Aircraft and F-135 Engine Enhancement Notification

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency published unclassified text of Transmittal No. 26-0G, notifying Congress of an enhancement to the Government of Belgium's F-35 aircraft purchase. The notification adds 11 F-35 CTOL aircraft and 12 F-135 engines to the original 2018 sale, increasing total case value by $3.3 billion to $9.83 billion.

GIM Acquires TCR, Cleared Under EU Merger Regulation

The European Commission cleared Global Infrastructure Management's acquisition of sole control of TCR Group under Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. GIM (US), controlled by BlackRock, acquires TCR (Belgium) from 3i Group plc. TCR operates in full-service leasing of ground support equipment to airports, airlines, and ground handlers globally, plus repair, maintenance, and fleet management services. The Commission determined the notified operation falls within the Merger Regulation's scope and qualifies for simplified treatment.

European Patent for Kava-Derived Therapeutic Compounds and Methods of Use Thereof

EPO granted patent EP3068416A1 to Kuality Herbceutics LLC and 9 named inventors for kava-derived therapeutic compounds and methods of use. The invention is classified under IPC codes A61K 31/12, A61K 31/353, A61K 31/366 (therapeutic compounds) and A61P 35/00 (cancer treatment). The patent is designated in 36 European states including Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.

Advocate General Finds Belgian Non-Resident Medical Student Quotas Contrary to EU Law

Advocate General Jean Richard de la Tour delivered an opinion in Case C-131/25 Dris, finding that Belgian legislation capping non-resident students' access to medical studies is contrary to EU law. The AG held that students who completed all or most of their secondary education in Belgium must be treated as residents for purposes of access to medical studies. The Advocate General stated that while restrictions on free movement may be justified by public health objectives, the national court must verify whether genuine risks exist, whether the quota system is appropriate, and whether less restrictive measures could achieve the same goal. The judgment of the Court will be given at a later date.

OLAF Coordinates SHIELD VI: 3.1 Million Counterfeit Pills Seized Across 14 EU Member States

OLAF facilitated Operation SHIELD VI, coordinating customs authorities from 14 EU Member States in a crackdown on counterfeit medicines, anabolic steroids, doping substances, and unregulated food supplements. Authorities seized over 3.1 million pills, 104,000 packages of illicit goods, 23,014 ampoules and flasks, and more than 1,000 kilograms of products. Many seized items may contain unknown or hazardous ingredients, incorrect dosages, or no active pharmaceutical components. The operation involved Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, and Italy's Guardia di Finanza, with cooperation from Europol and rights holders.

Joint Customs Operation VAPE Seizes Over 94 Million E-Cigarettes Across 30 Countries

OLAF and customs authorities from 30 countries (23 EU member states and 7 non-EU partners) completed Joint Customs Operation (JCO) VAPE from 14 November to 15 December 2025, resulting in seizure of over 94 million pieces and over 2,500 kg/l of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and related goods. Belgium reported the largest single seizure with 1.7 million e-cigarettes. Most seized products were non-compliant with national laws, including banned flavours, excessive nicotine levels, and unauthorized devices.

M.12389 GIM/TCR Merger Notification Under EU Merger Regulation

The European Commission received a merger notification on 18 March 2026 under Article 4 of the EU Merger Regulation. GIM (Global Infrastructure Management), a BlackRock subsidiary, intends to acquire sole control of TCR Group by purchasing shares. TCR, headquartered in Belgium, operates in full-service leasing of ground support equipment and is currently solely controlled by 3i Group plc.

Law Library Publishes Report on Nitrous Oxide Regulation Across 13 Jurisdictions

The Law Library of Congress published a comparative legal report surveying how 13 jurisdictions regulate the recreational use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The report covers Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, finding that all surveyed countries attempt to control nitrous oxide circulation though approaches vary widely. The report documents specific enforcement measures including restrictions on the amount of substance, container size limits for inhalation, and prohibitions on sales at specific locations or venues.

European Tax Burden on Labor Averaged 38.9 Percent in 2025

Tax Foundation published research finding that the average tax burden on labor across the European Union and United Kingdom reached 38.9 percent in 2025, measured as the difference between an employer's total labor costs and an employee's net disposable income. Belgium had the highest burden at 50.8 percent, while Cyprus had the lowest at 26.4 percent. Between 2024 and 2025, 16 European countries increased their tax burden on labor while 9 reduced it, with the average declining by 0.06 percentage points.

NBB Sets 1.25% Countercyclical Buffer Rate for Q2 2026

The National Bank of Belgium has set the countercyclical buffer rate at 1.25% for Q2 2026, effective 1 April 2026. This rate applies to credit exposures located in Belgium and reflects the NBB's assessment of cyclical systemic risk in the Belgian financial system. Financial institutions subject to Belgian macroprudential requirements must hold capital against their Belgian risk-weighted assets at this updated buffer rate.

DORA Register Submission Circular NBB_2026_05

The National Bank of Belgium published Circular NBB_2026_05 on April 2, 2026, establishing the requirements for financial institutions to submit the register of information required by the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). The circular applies to credit institutions, stockbroking firms, insurance and reinsurance companies, market infrastructures, institutions authorised to hold dematerialised securities, payment institutions, and e-money institutions operating in Belgium. Supervised entities must comply with the register submission obligations as specified in the implementing circular.

Generali Espana Merges Into Generali Seguros

The National Bank of Belgium published a public notice on March 30, 2026, regarding the absorption merger of Generali Espana SA de Seguros y Reaseguros into Generali Seguros y reaseguros SA. The notice falls under the supervision of financial institutions area and covers the insurance and reinsurance sector with a focus on mergers and transfers. The publication references the Belgian Official Journal for further details.

NBB Circular NBB_2026_04: ICT Incident Reporting and Cyber Threat Notification Under DORA

The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) issued Circular NBB_2026_04 on 1 April 2026, setting out detailed requirements for Belgian financial institutions to report major ICT-related incidents and submit voluntary notifications of significant cyber threats to the NBB, in implementation of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (DORA). The circular applies to credit institutions, stockbroking firms, insurance and reinsurance companies, payment institutions, e-money institutions, market infrastructures, and institutions authorised to hold dematerialised securities. Belgian financial institutions subject to NBB supervision must classify and report major ICT incidents using the NBB's specified modalities and timelines, and may voluntarily notify the NBB of significant cyber threats under the DORA framework.

EBA Guidelines on Environmental Scenario Analysis for Financial Institutions

The National Bank of Belgium published Circular NBB_2026_03 transmitting EBA Guidelines EBA/GL/2025/04 of 5 November 2025 on environmental scenario analysis. The guidelines establish how financial institutions should conduct scenario analysis to assess environmental risks, including climate-related and nature-related factors. Credit institutions and financial services groups supervised by the NBB must consider these guidelines in their risk management frameworks.

M.V. and Others v. Belgium - State Liable for Failing to House Asylum Seekers

The European Court of Human Rights found Belgium liable for violating Articles 3, 6, and 34 of the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to provide adequate housing and material assistance to asylum seekers, and by unreasonably delaying execution of court orders mandating such assistance.