Do you do business with Belgian organizations as a Dutch company? As of the beginning of this year, Belgium is phasing in the new version of the NACE-BEL classification. This classification of economic activities will be adapted step by step per sector. This adaptation may affect how Belgian companies are displayed in your data sources, sector analyses or risk assessments.
Why this update is necessary
The economy is constantly changing. New markets, digital occupations, sustainability and circular business models. This requires updating the way sectors are named and classified. The current NACE code stems from 2008 and is therefore no longer well aligned with today's reality.
The NACE code is used throughout Europe to classify economic activities. In Belgium, this code is also leading when registering companies in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE). Correct coding is important because discrepancies can lead to problems with invoicing, insurance or data links.
Starting January 1, 2025, Belgium is gradually replacing the old classification for the new NACE-BEL, based on the European NACE Rev. 2.1.
A similar update is also planned in the Netherlands: SBI 2025. The Dutch version of NACE will be updated starting September 1, 2025.
Interesting read: Navigating change: what the new SBC codes mean for your organization
This is what it means for you as a Dutch company
Although the changes are primarily focused on Belgium, the impact may be felt by your organization as well. Do you work with Belgian customers, suppliers or data from international sources? If so, chances are you will soon be faced with changed sector codes. For example:
- Shifts in customer segmentation: relationships that suddenly fall under a different industry than before.
- Changes in risk profiles: systems based on sector information may give different results.
- Mismatches in your CRM or ERP: linkage with Belgian company data may be temporarily incorrect if your systems still use the old NACE-BEL framework.
- Discrepancies in reports and benchmarks: comparisons can become distorted if old and new classifications are mixed together.
For organizations that rely heavily on accurate industry information, it's important to map out this change now.
What you can do right now
Start by identifying where within your organization NACE-BEL information is used, such as in data integrations, dashboards, customer segmentations or risk models. Inform affected colleagues about how this change may affect their work.
In addition, it is wise to have internal systems checked and modified where necessary to avoid errors, duplication or differences in interpretation of your data. Also, make sure everyone in your organization is aware of the change. So that the changes are well understood and can be implemented in a timely manner.
Conclusion
The change in the NACE-BEL classification not only affects Belgian companies, but can also have a significant impact on how you process and analyse Belgian data. Taking steps to prepare now will ensure that your organization continues to run smoothly and your data remains accurate, even with the new classification.
Curious about the implementation plan? View the plan here.
