Research
Do you conduct research in the defence sector, or in other sectors such as aerospace, nuclear, biotechnology and telecommunications? Do you work with cutting-edge technologies and collaborate with partners in other countries? You probably need an export or transfer licence to conduct your activities safely and in compliance with the regulations.
When is a licence required?
You need a licence in the following cases:
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You need to export so-called dual-use items or technologies outside the European Union ( the list of products concerned can be found in Annex I of Regulation 2021/821)
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You need to transfer so-called dual-use items or technologies to an EU Member State ( the list of products concerned can be found in Annex IV of Regulation 2021/821)
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You need to export, import or transfer military products from or to Belgium
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You conduct research on dual-use products ( the list of products in question can be found in Annex I of Regulation 2021/821)
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You conduct research related to military products ( the products concerned are listed in the EU Common Military List)
Specificity: European Defence Fund projects
The European Defence Fund (EDF) is the EU's programme for research and development in the defence industry. This programme finances the research and development activities of companies and public bodies in the defence sector.
Given the sensitivity of this sector and the security issues involved, project sponsors receiving funding from the European Defence Fund may have to work with military and/or dual-use licences.
Any queries on this subject should be addressed to the Directorate for Weapons Licences of the SPW: licence.dgo6@spw.wallonie.be.
When do I have to apply for a licence?
If your project falls into one or more of the categories for which you need a licence, your project cannot be fully operational without first obtaining the necessary licences. Contact us as soon as you know you will receive funding from the European Defence Fund, so that we can explain the nature and structure of the project and plan the steps to be taken in good time.
Questions to ask when assessing the sensitivity of a project
- Does my research involve products on a list?
- Are there any non-European partners involved in my project?
- Will I have to export or import products?
- Will the final product of my project be made available to a military entity?
- Am I collaborating with an entity active in the defence sector (e.g. an industry)?
