Frameworks · Belgium

AI governance frameworks and regulation in Belgium

Belgium governs AI through EU law. The EU AI Act and the GDPR apply directly, and the Data Protection Authority enforces the GDPR's rules on automated decisions and publishes guidance on AI. The national law that designates Belgium's AI Act authorities is still in preparation, with the BIPT expected to lead and existing sector regulators taking AI in their own domains. These are the Belgian instruments, with the EU and international frameworks most organisations build on.

Who regulates AI here

Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT)The telecoms and postal regulator, confirmed by the FPS Economy as Belgium's future lead AI Act supervisor once a law gives it that role, and publisher of AI Act information for organisations.
FPS EconomyThe federal economy department, which coordinates Belgium's implementation of the EU AI Act and is preparing the law that designates its authorities.
Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA)Belgium's GDPR supervisor, which enforces the rules on automated decisions and publishes guidance on AI systems and the GDPR.
National Bank of Belgium (NBB)The prudential supervisor of banks and insurers, whose governance and operational resilience expectations reach the AI they run.
Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA)The conduct supervisor of financial markets and services, overseeing how financial firms treat customers, including where AI is involved.

Belgium

Belgium applies the EU AI Act and the GDPR directly, with guidance on AI from its Data Protection Authority while the law naming its AI Act supervisors is prepared.

Regulator guidanceBelgian DPA AI guidanceBelgian Data Protection Authority guidance on AI systems and the GDPRThe Belgian Data Protection Authority's brochure on AI systems and the GDPR explains how the GDPR and the EU AI Act apply together to AI. What it asks.Published December 2024, in use

All Belgium frameworks

European Union

The EU AI Act sets risk-based obligations for AI placed on the EU market or used in the EU, alongside the GDPR's rules on automated decisions.

LawEU AI ActEU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689)The EU AI Act sets risk-based rules for AI used in the EU. What it requires of providers and deployers, and the dates as amended by the 2026 Digital Omnibus.In force, applying in stages to 2028In Aicura from Enterprise LawGDPR Article 22GDPR Article 22 and automated decision-makingGDPR Article 22 limits solely automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects. Who it applies to, the exceptions, safeguards and AI duties.In force since May 2018, amendment proposed Voluntary frameworkGPAI Code of PracticeGeneral-Purpose AI Code of PracticeThe EU GPAI Code of Practice is how model providers show they meet AI Act duties on transparency, copyright and systemic risk. What it covers and who signs.Published July 2025, in use Voluntary frameworkTrustworthy AI and ALTAIEthics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI and the Assessment List (ALTAI)The EU's Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI set seven requirements, and ALTAI turns them into a self-assessment checklist. What they cover and who uses it.Published 2019 and 2020, voluntary

All European Union frameworks

International

Standards and frameworks that apply across borders. Most organisations use one of these as the backbone of their AI governance, whatever their jurisdiction.

StandardISO/IEC 42001ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI management systemsISO/IEC 42001 is the certifiable international standard for an AI management system. What it requires, how Annex A works and how to get ready to certify.Published December 2023, current editionIn Aicura from Pro StandardISO/IEC 42005ISO/IEC 42005:2025 AI system impact assessmentISO/IEC 42005 is international guidance on assessing how an AI system affects people and society, when to assess, what to record and how it links to 42001.Published May 2025, current edition Voluntary frameworkNIST AI RMFNIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)The NIST AI RMF is a voluntary framework for managing AI risk through four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage. What it asks and who uses it worldwide.Version 1.0 current, revision under wayIn Aicura from Pro Voluntary frameworkNIST Generative AI ProfileNIST AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)NIST AI 600-1 applies the AI Risk Management Framework to generative AI. Its 12 risks, the suggested actions behind them and who uses the profile and why.Final, published July 2024 StandardISO/IEC 23894ISO/IEC 23894:2023 Guidance on AI risk managementISO/IEC 23894 adapts the ISO 31000 risk process to AI. What the guidance covers, its AI risk sources and lifecycle mapping, and how it fits with ISO 42001.Published February 2023, current edition StandardISO/IEC 38507ISO/IEC 38507:2022 Governance implications of the use of AI by organizationsISO/IEC 38507 is guidance for boards on governing an organisation's use of AI. What it asks of directors, how it links to ISO/IEC 38500 and who uses it.Published April 2022, current edition Voluntary frameworkOECD AI PrinciplesOECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles)The OECD AI Principles are the intergovernmental standard for trustworthy AI, adopted 2019 and revised 2024. The five principles and how to apply them.Adopted May 2019, revised May 2024 Voluntary frameworkHUDERIAHUDERIA: Risk and impact assessment of AI systems for human rights, democracy and the rule of lawHUDERIA is the Council of Europe's method for assessing AI risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its four elements, scoring and who uses it.Methodology and Model adopted, non-binding LawCouncil of Europe AI ConventionCouncil of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225)The Council of Europe AI Convention is the first binding international treaty on AI. Who has signed and ratified, what it asks of parties and when it applies.Open for signature, not yet in force Voluntary frameworkG7 Hiroshima Code of ConductHiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI SystemsThe G7 Hiroshima Code of Conduct sets 11 voluntary actions for advanced AI developers, with OECD HAIP reporting. What it asks and who reports under HAIP 2.0.Voluntary, reporting framework v2.0 live Voluntary frameworkUNESCO AI Ethics RecommendationUNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceUNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is the global standard its member states adopted in 2021. Its values, principles and Ethical Impact Assessment.Adopted November 2021

All International frameworks

Questions

Does Belgium have an AI law?

Not a national one yet. The EU AI Act applies directly in Belgium. The law that designates Belgian authorities to supervise and enforce it was still being prepared by the FPS Economy in 2026, and needs to pass through Parliament.

Who enforces the EU AI Act in Belgium?

No authority has yet been designated in law. The FPS Economy has confirmed that the BIPT will become the lead AI supervisor, and the government has said existing sector authorities will take AI in their own domains with no new authority created. AI in regional areas such as education and job placement is still being negotiated with the regions.

Who regulates automated decisions in Belgium?

The Belgian Data Protection Authority, under GDPR Article 22, which limits solely automated decisions with legal or similarly significant effects on people. Its brochure on AI systems and the GDPR explains how that right sits alongside the AI Act's human oversight duties.

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