Lunch-Debate

Year In Review

There were significant developments in 2025 that have an impact on non-profit associations or their members and we expect to see at least as much action in 2026.

During this annual lunch-debate, various specialist speakers from Bird & Bird will present an update on relevant issues, hot topics or legislative proposals that have impacted or will impact the non-profit sector. 

The legal topics to be discussed during this lunch debate will include :

Tax

• Olivier Bertin - The not-for-profit associations as taxpayers of the new tax on capital gains (anno 2026)
• Bavo Van Pamel - E-Invoicing: upcoming VAT obligations
• Bavo Van Pamel - Multi-jurisdictional links and establishment risks

Corporate

• David Du Pont - Follow-up on the new Belgian Civil Code in respect of your rental agreements
• Cedric Berckmans - Follow-up on the new Belgian Civil Code in respect of your directors’ liability and insurance cover
• Paul Hermant - Upcoming changes and consultation if there is ever going to be a political agreement within the Arizona coalition (technical changes and consultation brainstorming)
• Paul Hermant - How is Trump going to change your lives and how to adapt? 

Employment

• Anke Istace - Labour reforms following the Easter and Summer agreements of the federal government
• Cecilia Lahaye - Pay Transparency Directive

Competition

• Baptist Vleeshouwers - Learnings from the Commission’s ELV cartel decision:  How even an industry association with strong competition law compliance policies can end up being fined for its participation in a cartel

Tech & Data Privacy

• Benjamin Docquir - Data sharing and the role associations can play to foster access to data, data collaboration
• Lisa Guis - Current topics in data privacy and data protection compliance

Regulatory (chemicals, pesticides, and biocides)

• Claudio Mereu & Natalie Konings - Navigating the Chemicals Landscape: Legislative Novelties under the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan

This will be followed by a Q&A session. The presentation will be in English; questions can also be put in French or Dutch.

We warmly invite you to join us and get a head start for the year ahead!