All companies and non-profit associations (ASBL) must register in the RBE and record their balance sheets.
This is a hassle and administrative burden for many local associations operating on a strictly voluntary basis.
Since the introduction of the RBE, some 2,600 reminders have had to be sent to ASBLs for non-compliance. In more than 100 cases, the reminder resulted in an official report, which was forwarded to the public prosecutor.
As a result, some clubs have been dissolved or have regularised their situation.
However, if the ASBL still does not cooperate, a fine may be imposed, in addition to possible judicial dissolution.
To date, no president or ASBL has been prosecuted for infringement of the law on the RBE.
Currently 8,700 associations are registered with the RBE. Of these, approximately 7,400 are compliant, which corresponds to a rate of 86%. Some associations are therefore not in compliance with the legal provisions.
These clarifications were made by Minister of Justice Sam Tanson and Minister of Internal Security Henri Kox in response to a parliamentary question by MP Sven Clement from the Pirate Party, who referred to the case of the volunteer president of an NGO, whose home was visited by three police officers for an irregularity in the RBE and whose case was made public on Facebook.
Violations of the RBE Law can be fined between €1,250 and €1,250,000.
