Whistleblower form
The Belgian Whistleblowers Act [1] came into force in Belgium on 15 February 2023 and is based on the EU Whistleblowing Directive. The purpose of the Whistleblowing Act is to provide a safe framework to report misconduct or serious irregularities relating to fraud, corruption or other malicious activities affecting a company's operations, products or employees. It is important to report incidents and non-compliance with due diligence so that the organisation can investigate the reported incident.
By using this channel, you can report incidents confidentially. Remember that when you report an incident, you are bound by the principles of honesty and good intentions. If investigations reveal malicious intent on your part, your report will be treated as misconduct.
Note that you must complete the form in one go to report the incident. There is no option to save a draft and complete it later. Completing the form can take up to 10 minutes.
Reports submitted through this channel may not receive an immediate response. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 7 calendar days unless you have not submitted contact details. Submitted reports are treated confidentially, with the identity of the whistleblower and any third parties along with the reported incident remaining protected from access by unauthorised parties.
Please note: the whistleblower form is not for reporting complaints.
How do we process a reported incident?
Please read the information below carefully before submitting a report.
1. How do we use your information?
If you choose to submit your personal data along with the request, it will be stored to keep you informed of its progress. The processing of your personal data is based on the legal obligation to follow up the incident you reported, as set out in the Belgian Whistleblower Act.
2. What happens after you report an incident?
Phase 1 - Receipt of the incident
After submitting a report, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 7 calendar days, unless you report an incident anonymously.
Phase 2 - Research and follow-up
If we start an investigation, the recipient(s) - who are responsible for processing the alert - may contact you to discuss the process of the investigation or other matters related to the investigation. You may be asked to provide further information during the investigation, although you are not obliged to provide further information. The recipient(s) will protect your interests and ensure the integrity of the report. They are bound by a duty of confidentiality at all stages of the investigation and after the closure of the case.
Phase 3 - Feedback
You will be informed of the outcome of the investigation within 3 months of receiving the report. This period may be extended to 6 months if necessary, due to specific circumstances regarding the nature and complexity of the incident, which may require an extended investigation.
3. Disclosing information as part of an investigation
As part of our investigation, we may need to approach other individuals or organisations to access information relevant to the incident you reported. During the investigation process, if necessary, an external investigator will be appointed to assist in conducting the investigation.
All investigations will be conducted in a fair, independent and timely manner and all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure confidentiality throughout the investigation.
The person against whom any allegations have been made may also be informed of the incident and given the opportunity to respond (unless there are restrictions or other reasonable grounds for not doing so).
4. What protection exists if you file a report?
Whistleblowers who report (anonymously or not) are entitled to protection from retaliation.
The company will ensure that anyone making a report is treated with discretion and fairness and is not put at a disadvantage. Protection will be given to all whistleblowers, facilitators, third persons related to the whistleblower and other person(s) involved in the reported incident.
If whistleblowers experience retaliation, the Belgian Whistleblowers Act provides for a series of measures to protect them.
5. Where can you find support?
You may choose to discuss the incident with a facilitator; a natural person of your choice, who can assist you in the reporting process and whose help must be confidential.
You can also visit the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH) for information and advice, as well as professional, legal and psychological support for both internal and external reports. As an independent institution, FIRM-IFDH promotes and protects human rights in Belgium, in cooperation with other organisations.
Opportunities to report
You have 2 options for reporting an incident. Either report directly to the company, or report the incident to the Federal Ombudsman, who is responsible for processing external reports.
- Report to the Federal Ombudsman
- Report an incident to us by clicking the button: