Northwest Horticultural Council
Export Manual
BELGIUM
Capital: BrusselsPopulation: 11,977,634 (2024)
Currency: Euro
Official Language(s): Dutch, French, and German
I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)
Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.
II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION
A. Chemical residue standards:
As a member of the European Union (EU), Belgium applies Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) as established by the EU, as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not registered by the EU.
B. Monitoring chemical residues:
Chemical residues are actively monitored by the Belgian Ministry of Public Health/Food Inspection Services and by the Belgian Ministry of Agriculture/Inspection of Raw Materials.
C. Restrictions on use of waxes:
The European Union (EU) permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and shellac on apples and pears (EC Directive 95/2/EC).
Morpholine is not allowed to be present as an additive to waxes or other food coatings. There is active enforcement of this prohibition.
III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS
All producers and importers must comply with European Commission regulations regarding the production, labeling, certification, and control of organic foods. For Belgium, products are certified by ECOCERT. U.S. organizations that comply with EU organic legislation can be found at the ECOCERT website.
Please refer to the Organic Fruit Regulations section of the European Union page of this manual for more information.
IV. TARIFFS
As a member of the European Union (EU), Belgium applies the EU’s tariff schedule and entry price system on apple, pear and cherry imports. Please refer to the EU page for additional information.
V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
A. Labeling requirements:
European Union (EU) labeling requirements apply. Please refer to the EU page for information on labeling requirements.
B. Licenses and quotas:
EU licensing/quota regulations, if any, apply. Please refer to the EU page for additional information.
C. Currency Issues:
None.
D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:
Please refer to the EU page for specific restrictions which apply to all EU member countries.
E. Other trade restrictions:
Please refer to the EU page.
VI. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:
Pear Bureau Northwest:
Frederik D. van der Monde
I.M.D.C. sprl
Brussels, Belgium
Voice/FAX: 011-32 2 346 4250
Cell: 011 32 477 616 582
E-mail: [email protected]
VII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:
Governmental:
