Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, Belgium

E-commerce and Internet Law in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe sits at the intersection of Belgian federal law, European Union rules, and practical local considerations in the Brussels-Capital Region. Most online business obligations are defined by EU legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation and the Digital Services Act, implemented and enforced in Belgium through the Belgian Code of Economic Law and oversight by national regulators. Because Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe is in a bilingual commune, traders often communicate in both French and Dutch to ensure transparency and compliance with language expectations in Brussels.

If you sell goods or services online from Belgium, operate a marketplace, run a platform or app used by EU consumers, send marketing emails, place cookies or trackers, process personal data, or manage cross-border sales and VAT, you are operating in a regulated environment. Getting the fundamentals right at the start reduces legal risk, builds trust, and supports growth.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer when launching a new online shop or platform to draft compliant website notices, terms and conditions, and privacy and cookie policies that fit your actual business model. Tailored drafting helps avoid clauses that are unenforceable under Belgian consumer law and ensures required pre-contract information is correctly presented.

Legal advice is valuable when processing personal data, implementing analytics and advertising technologies, or evaluating third-party tools. A lawyer can help you identify your roles and responsibilities under GDPR, select appropriate legal bases, structure data sharing agreements, and design valid consent flows.

Businesses often seek help when handling returns, refunds, chargebacks, and complaints, or when defending or asserting rights in online disputes. This includes notice-and-action processes for illegal content or counterfeits, defamation take-downs, and IP enforcement such as domain name recovery and trademark protection.

Growth triggers new issues such as cross-border sales, platform expansion, reseller programs, marketplace onboarding rules, price promotions, product safety recalls, and VAT regimes like OSS and IOSS. A lawyer can audit compliance, adapt policies to new markets, and prepare for regulatory checks or platform compliance requests.

If you experience a data breach, face a regulator inquiry, receive a consumer authority inspection, or become involved in litigation, timely legal guidance can help mitigate risk and respond effectively.

Local Laws Overview

Business registration and identification. Belgian businesses must be registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and obtain a company number and VAT number. Your website and order confirmations must clearly show your legal name, company and VAT numbers, geographic address, contact email and phone, and trade register details where applicable.

Website information duties. The Belgian Code of Economic Law Book XII and Book VI require clear pre-contract information for distance sales. This includes main product characteristics, total price including taxes and fees, delivery costs, payment and delivery methods, withdrawal rights and how to exercise them, contract duration or auto-renewal terms, and complaint handling details. Buttons used to place orders must clearly indicate that an order implies payment.

Consumer contracts and withdrawals. For most consumer distance contracts, buyers have a 14-day withdrawal right with a model withdrawal form. There are statutory exceptions such as personalized goods, sealed goods not suitable for return for health protection once unsealed, and digital content supplied on a non-tangible medium once the consumer has expressly consented and acknowledged loss of the right of withdrawal. Refunds must be timely and include standard delivery costs.

Legal guarantee and digital content. Belgian law provides a legal guarantee for consumers for lack of conformity, typically 2 years. For digital content and services, Belgium has implemented EU rules that require fitness for purpose, conformity, and security updates, along with clear remedies if content or services are defective or not as described.

Pricing and promotions. Rules on price transparency and promotional announcements prohibit misleading pricing. Under the EU Omnibus changes, any price reduction claims must reference the lowest price applied in the 30 days before the reduction unless a specific exception applies. Review and endorsement practices must be truthful, and you must not falsely claim that reviews are from real customers unless you have reasonable and verifiable measures.

Data protection and cookies. GDPR applies to most online operations. Core duties include data mapping, legal basis selection, transparency notices, handling of access and deletion requests, contracts with processors, security measures, and breach notification where required. Non-essential cookies and similar trackers generally require prior consent. Consent must be informed, specific, freely given, and easy to withdraw. Cookie walls that force consent without a real alternative are risky. The Belgian Data Protection Authority has issued guidance and can investigate complaints.

Marketing and email. Unsolicited electronic marketing to consumers usually requires prior opt-in consent, with a clear unsubscribe option in every message. Limited soft opt-in for existing customers may apply for similar products, subject to conditions. Marketing claims must be true, substantiated, and not misleading.

Platforms and marketplaces. The EU Digital Services Act imposes duties on intermediary services, hosting providers, and online platforms. Key points include clear terms of service, notice-and-action mechanisms for illegal content, transparency reporting proportional to size, and trader traceability for online marketplaces. The Platform-to-Business Regulation sets transparency obligations toward business users regarding ranking, differentiation, and suspension decisions.

Electronic contracts and signatures. Electronic contracts are generally valid. Advanced and qualified electronic signatures under eIDAS have higher evidential value. Keep robust logs of consent, orders, and acceptance of terms.

Intellectual property and domain names. Protect trademarks via the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property. Copyright arises automatically, with collective management by societies such as SABAM for certain uses. .be domain names are managed by DNS Belgium and disputes can be handled through accredited dispute resolution such as CEPANI. For gTLDs, UDRP-type procedures may apply.

VAT and cross-border sales. Belgian VAT typically applies at 21 percent. For B2C sales to EU customers, the One-Stop Shop can simplify VAT reporting. For low-value imports to EU consumers, the Import One-Stop Shop may be relevant. Marketplaces can be deemed suppliers in some cases. Keep proper invoices and records. Belgium is phasing in mandatory B2B e-invoicing, which may affect your back-office planning.

Cybersecurity and incident response. Implement proportionate technical and organizational measures. Some sectors fall under NIS rules. Regardless of sector, GDPR requires appropriate security and breach response procedures. Payment flows must meet PSD2 strong customer authentication requirements.

Language and accessibility. In the Brussels-Capital Region, it is common and often expected to provide consumer-facing information in French and Dutch. Ensure essential information, customer support, and key contractual terms are understandable by your target audience. The European Accessibility Act will progressively require many digital services, including e-commerce interfaces, to meet accessibility standards, so it is prudent to plan for accessible design now.

Local enforcement and dispute resolution. The FPS Economy enforces market practices and consumer law. The Belgian Data Protection Authority oversees data protection. The Brussels Enterprise Court has jurisdiction over many commercial disputes. Consumer mediation bodies and the European Consumer Centre can assist with cross-border consumer disputes. Criminal online matters can involve the Federal Computer Crime Unit and local police.

Frequently Asked Questions

What legal information must my Belgian e-commerce website display

Display your business name, geographic address, contact email and phone, company and VAT numbers, and trade register details where applicable. Provide clear pre-contract information about products, total prices including taxes and fees, delivery charges, payment and delivery methods, withdrawal rights and procedures, complaint handling, and any contract duration or auto-renewal. The final order button must clearly indicate an obligation to pay.

Do I need to register a business to sell online from Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe

Yes, most sustained commercial activity requires registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and a VAT number. You may register through an accredited enterprise counter. Hobby-level occasional sales can be treated differently, but once activity is regular and profit-driven, formal registration and tax compliance apply.

What are my obligations regarding returns and refunds for online sales

Consumers generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal for distance contracts. You must inform them of this right, provide a withdrawal form, and refund within statutory time limits when the right is exercised. Some categories are exempt, such as made-to-measure items or sealed health products once unsealed. Clearly explain your policy and process.

How should I handle customer data under GDPR

Identify the purposes and legal bases for processing, keep processing proportionate, be transparent in a privacy notice, conclude data processing agreements with vendors, implement security measures, and respect rights requests. For sensitive data or high-risk processing, assess whether a data protection impact assessment or a data protection officer is required. Notify the Belgian Data Protection Authority and affected individuals of certain breaches.

What are the cookie rules in Belgium

Essential cookies can be placed without consent. Non-essential cookies such as analytics, advertising, and social media trackers usually require prior consent. Provide a clear cookie banner, granular choices, and an easy way to withdraw consent. Pre-ticked boxes and purely informative banners are not sufficient.

How does the Digital Services Act affect my online platform or marketplace

Intermediaries must have clear terms, notice-and-action procedures, and proportionate transparency measures. Marketplaces must verify trader traceability and show essential trader information to consumers. Larger platforms face additional duties, but even small services must respond to notices and act against illegal content consistently. Keep an internal policy that matches your moderation and takedown practices.

Do I have to communicate in French and Dutch in Brussels

Brussels is bilingual. While the exact obligation depends on the context, providing key consumer information and support in both French and Dutch is common and helps meet transparency expectations. Advertising and consumer information addressed to the Brussels public should be understandable in the region’s languages. Multilingual interfaces reduce risk and improve customer experience.

Which taxes apply to my online sales and how do OSS and IOSS work

Belgian VAT typically applies to domestic sales. For cross-border B2C sales within the EU, the One-Stop Shop allows you to declare VAT due in other member states through a single return. For imports of consignments up to 150 euros to EU consumers, the Import One-Stop Shop can simplify VAT on import. Some marketplaces are deemed suppliers for VAT purposes. Keep accurate records and consult a tax advisor for setup.

How can I protect my brand, content, and domain name

Register your trademark with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property, keep records of your original works, and use contracts or licenses for creators and contractors. Monitor for infringements, use notice-and-takedown tools on platforms, and consider domain name dispute procedures through accredited bodies for .be domains and UDRP for certain gTLDs.

What can I do if a dispute arises with a customer or platform

Start with your internal complaint procedure. For consumer disputes, consider mediation bodies and the European Consumer Centre for cross-border issues. If necessary, bring claims before the Justice of the Peace for small amounts or the Brussels Enterprise Court for commercial matters. For platform decisions affecting business users, review your rights under the Platform-to-Business Regulation and use any internal complaint and mediation systems offered.

Additional Resources

FPS Economy - Federal authority for market practices, consumer protection, e-commerce rules, product safety, and price and promotion compliance. Provides guidance and conducts inspections.

Belgian Data Protection Authority - Supervisory authority for GDPR compliance, complaints, guidance, and enforcement related to privacy and cookies.

BIPT - Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications, regulator for electronic communications and certain aspects of digital services and networks.

European Consumer Centre Belgium - Assistance for cross-border consumer issues and guidance on EU consumer rights for online purchases.

DNS Belgium - Registry for .be domain names and related dispute resolution mechanisms administered through accredited bodies such as CEPANI.

Benelux Office for Intellectual Property - Registration of trademarks and designs for Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Consumer Mediation Service - National service facilitating amicable resolution of consumer-business disputes.

SPF Finances - Belgian federal tax administration for VAT, OSS and IOSS registrations and guidance.

Local enterprise counters - Accredited one-stop shops that handle business registration, updates to the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, and certain licenses.

Brussels business support services - Regional organizations that offer guidance on starting and growing a business, including online activities, with support in French and Dutch.

Next Steps

Clarify your business model, target markets, and data uses. Prepare a list of the products or services you sell, the countries you serve, the payment providers and trackers you use, and the platforms or marketplaces you rely on.

Gather key documents, including existing terms and conditions, privacy and cookie notices, vendor contracts and data processing agreements, marketing templates, and records of any past complaints or disputes.

Book a consultation with a lawyer experienced in Belgian e-commerce and data protection. Ask for a practical compliance audit that covers website disclosures, consumer rights, pricing and promotions, GDPR and cookies, VAT setup, platform obligations under the Digital Services Act, and IP and domain protection.

Implement prioritized fixes. Typical quick wins include updating website notices, redesigning the cookie banner and consent management, adjusting return and refund policies, clarifying price reduction practices, and ensuring trader information is visible on marketplace listings.

Set up governance and training. Assign responsibilities for handling data subject requests, content takedowns, complaints, and incident response. Train staff on consumer contact rules, marketing consents, and security basics.

Plan for growth. If you intend to expand cross-border, enroll in OSS or IOSS as appropriate, localize key pages into French and Dutch for Brussels and other languages for new markets, and prepare standard onboarding and vendor terms if you operate a platform.

This guide is general information and not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, consult a qualified lawyer who can review your specific facts and documents.