The Minister for the Self-Employed and SMEs, David Clarinval, announced on Friday that he has reached agreement with electricity and gas suppliers to better protect businesses from the energy crisis.
The federal government has decided to set up a “code of conduct” for the self-employed and SMEs in the face of the energy crisis and the sharp rise in energy costs, he said. Work will continue until February on its adoption.
Given the difficulties faced by smaller businesses, members of the Federation of Belgian Electricity and Gas Companies, FEBEG, have committed to continuing their “flexible and advantageous policy” on payment plans begun in 2020, the minister explained.
They will also improve transparency in the calculation of instalments.
The energy suppliers also said the practice of bank guarantees or sureties was not widespread and would not be systematised. Where a guarantee is, in fact, requested, the energy suppliers undertake to do so on the basis of objective criteria linked to the company’s solvency.
These commitments will apply from 1 January.
“I am delighted with the commitments made at the end of this meeting, which will make it possible to offer new protection to the self-employed and SMEs to deal with their energy bills,” the minister said. “I invite all energy suppliers to sign on to them."
