Belgian regulatory framework on ethical and deontological standards applicable to government members

1. Federal level – Regulatory framework with general application relating to all of the federated entities (i.e. Federal and Regional level)

1. Special Law of 8 August 1980 concerning institutional reform (Article 23, Article 24a, §2-§3, Article 24b, Article 59 §4)
2. Law of 6 August 1931 determining the incompatibilities and disqualifications concerning ministers, former ministers and ministers of state, as well as members and former members of the Legislative Chambers
3. Special Law of 2 May 1995 on the obligation to submit a list of mandates, offices and professions, as well as a declaration of assets
4. Public Procurement Law of 17 June 2016 (Articles 169 to 170)
5. Criminal Code (Articles 240 to 245)
6. Law of 2 August 2002 concerning the supervision of the financial sector and financial services (Articles 25 and 53)
7. Law of 24 December 1993 concerning Public Procurement and some contracts for the undertaking of works, supplies, and services (Articles 6 and 10)
8. Law of 23 March 1989 concerning the election of the European Parliament (Article 42)
9. Special Law of 12 January 1989 relating to the Brussels institutions (Article 10a)
10. Law of 31 December 1983 reforming the institutions for the German-speaking Community (Article 50)

View all the documents (PDF, 214.9 KB)
 

2. Federal level – Regulatory framework only applicable to the federal level

1. Circular on the Code of Ethics for members of the Government, containing the Code of Ethics for members of the Government (20^th of June 2023) (PDF, 100.37 KB)
2. Code of Ethics for public representatives (15^th of July 2018) (PDF, 96.14 KB)
3. Law of 6 January 2014 establishing a Federal Deontological Commission [and containing the Code of Ethics for public representatives] (PDF, 113.88 KB)
    

3. Regional level

3.1. Flanders

1. Circular VR 2005/12 of 4 March 2005 regarding the Ministerial deontology (PDF, 67.25 KB)
2. Circular VR 2007/40 of 21 December 2007 regarding the Deontological code for staff members of the Cabinets of the members of the Government of Flanders (PDF, 275.55 KB)
3. Circular VR 2006/38 of 14 July 2006 regarding Foreign assignments by members of the Government of Flanders (PDF, 84.2 KB)
4. Circular VR 2009/2 of 24 July 2009 regarding the incompatibility, prohibition of cumulation and other disqualifications (PDF, 92.76 KB)
5. Circular VR 2018/5 of 20 July 2018 regarding the Code of Conduct for administrative expenditures (PDF, 149.43 KB)
6. Deontological Code for the representatives of the Flemish people with regard to service to the population (17 March 1999) (PDF, 114.77 KB)
    

3.2. The Wallonia-Brussels Federation (the French Community)

1. Circular of 7 November 2019 on the functioning of the Government of the French Community (the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) (PDF, 131.82 KB)
2. Agreement of 13 March 2014 between the French Community, the French Community Commission and the Walloon Region on the creation of a Commission for Deontology and Ethics (PDF, 128.56 KB)
    

3.3. The Walloon Region

1. Circular of 26 September 2019 on the functioning of the Walloon Government (PDF, 163.62 KB)
2. Circular on the Common Code of Conduct for members of the ministerial cabinets of the Walloon Government (PDF, 74.96 KB)
3. Agreement of 13 March 2014 between the French Community, the French Community Commission and the Walloon Region on the creation of a Commission for Deontology and Ethics (PDF, 128.56 KB)
    

3.4. Brussels-Capital region

1. Ordinance of 14 December 2017 of the Brussels-Capital Region and the Common Community Commission establishing a Brussels Deontological Commission (PDF, 183.39 KB)
2. Agreement of 13 March 2014 between the French Community, the French Community Commission and the Walloon Region on the creation of a Commission for Deontology and Ethics (PDF, 128.56 KB)