| QUALIFICATIONS |
In Belgium, only “recognized” contractors (“agréés” in the legal texts) can be awarded public works contracts. An appointed Minister of the Region has the authority to award such recognition to a Company provided that it meets all the relevant conditions. Based on this criteria, a classification is attributed to the contractor. This classification determines, among other things, the maximum permissible contract sum for each contract awarded to the contractor. The regulations also lay down, for each classification, a subdivision according to the value of the works. Information on the subdivisions can be forwarded on request. The dossier which the contractor is required to submit in order to obtain such recognition, has to demonstrate that a company can meet the technical and financial requirements laid down and that it is able to fulfil the following criteria: Consequently, the registration system of recognized contractors is used as a quality label for Belgian companies, which gives a guarantee to the client that their contractors are capable of executing the works according to the specifications. On the basis of the documentary evidence submitted, a contractor that meets the necessary criteria can obtain a classification from 1 to 8. A higher class permits the undertaking of larger public contracts. Set out below is the maximum value of works (excluding V.A.T.), which a Belgian public-law body can award to a recognized contractor for each contract according to the class he has obtained. Class 1: 135.000 euro Only the Belgian public-law bodies are required to apply these maximum amounts per contract. A non-Belgian public body or a private client can of course go above the above maximum amounts per contract. |
recent and adequate references of works executed and for which satisfactory certificates can be provided;