About

Since 2003, certain matters relating to weapons and dual-use items have been managed by the Directorate for Weapons Licences (DLA in French) of the SPW Economy Employment Research. Other matters remain in federal hands. Who does what? What are our missions? Find out more here. 

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Regional, federal: who manages what?

In September 2003, the Regions became competent for (freely translated) "the import, export and transit of firearms, ammunition and equipment intended specifically for military or law enforcement use and related technology, as well as dual-use items and technologies, without prejudice to the federal competence for imports and exports concerning the army and the police, and in compliance with the criteria defined by the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports" (art. 6, § 1, VI, 4° of the Special Law of 08/08/1980 on institutional reform).

The federal authorities are therefore still competent for all imports, exports, transfers and transits carried out by or for defence and police forces (federal or police zones).

In Wallonia, the administrative department responsible for managing applications for authorisation to import, export and transit weapons, ammunition, equipment intended specifically for military or law enforcement use and related technology, as well as dual-use items and technologies, is the Directorate for Weapons Licences.

What are our missions? 

At the Directorate for Weapons Licences, we analyse licence and authorisation applications for:

These particular categories of products are subject to export controls for reasons of national and international security, and require authorisation to leave Belgian or European customs territory and/or be transferred from one Member State to another.

 

N.B. These controls also apply to the transfer of technologies linked to the controlled product categories. These technologies may include research activities (Research).

Licences are granted (or refused) on the basis of a decision by the Minister-President of the Walloon Region, the competent authority for licensing firearms and dual-use items.

We are also responsible for applying restrictive measures (sanctions and embargoes) on arms and dual-use items (Restrictive Measures).