Belgium Cracks Down on E-Scooter Safety and Cashless Payment Fees

Belgium is taking a two-pronged approach to consumer protection, addressing both the safety of electric scooters and the often-excessive fees associated with cashless payment systems at events. Minister of Consumer Affairs Rob Beenders is leading the charge on both fronts, aiming to safeguard citizens from potentially dangerous products and unfair financial practices.

E-Scooter Safety Concerns

Recent testing by the FPS Economy revealed significant safety concerns regarding electric scooters available on the Belgian market. Out of forty e-scooters tested, only five met legal safety standards, a finding that prompted Minister Beenders to express shock. The non-compliant scooters are being removed from the market. Further research is likewise underway to assess the safety of a new type of four-wheeled scooter.

Addressing Cashless Payment Fees at Festivals

Minister Beenders is also targeting high fees charged by cashless payment systems at festivals and events. These systems, often utilizing wristbands or prepaid cards, have been criticized for imposing excessive charges when visitors attempt to recover unused funds. Beenders’ policy statement highlights that festival organizers frequently profit from these leftover balances.

The FPS Economy already has guidelines in place regarding refunds at events, but Minister Beenders believes they are insufficient. He aims to eliminate profit-making from prepaid cards, considering a fee of up to €3.50 (equivalent to one consumption) as reasonable. Consumer organization Test Achats previously filed a complaint against ten festivals for violating consumer law in 2023, prompting an investigation by the FPS Economy.

While a previous investigation deemed the existing fees “not disproportionate,” Minister Beenders is pushing for concrete changes through consultations with festival organizers. If these discussions fail to yield results, he has threatened more stringent measures, including a potential ban on prepaid cards, though a consensus on this within the current federal government remains elusive.

Key Government Officials

The current Belgian government includes several key figures overseeing economic and consumer affairs:

• David Clarinval: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture
• Annelies Verlinden: Minister of Justice, in charge of the North Sea
• Vanessa Matz: Minister of the Modernisation of the Public Administration, in charge of Public Enterprises, Public Administration, Property Management of the State, Digitalisation and the Federal Scientific Institutions
• Rob Beenders: Minister of Consumer Protection, the fight against Social Fraud, Persons with Disabilities and Equal Opportunities
• Mathieu Bihet: Minister of Energy
• Éléonore Simonet: Minister of Small Businesses, the Self-Employed and SMEs

Reindustrialization Strategy

Beyond consumer protection, the FPS Economy emphasizes the importance of a reindustrialization strategy, recognizing industry as a crucial driver of the Belgian economy. More information on this plan is available on the FPS Economy website.