The Institute of Patent Attorneys is the professional organization of all Belgian patent attorneys. Both the Institute and its members are subject to laws and regulations that strive for a high level of professionalism of the Institute and its members.
Law establishing the Institute of Patent Attorneys
The Institute was established by the law of 8 July 2018 (OJ 19.07.2018) – Law containing provisions for the protection of the title of patent attorney, amended by the law of 5 November 2023 (OJ 11.12.2023) – law containing various provisions relating to economic matters.
Regulations of the Institute of Patent Attorneys: Code of Economic Law, Book XI, Title 1, Chapter 3, Section 5: Link
Fixing the amount of the annual membership fee (2025): Link
Royal Decree on representation in patent matters (second phase of the reform of the profession)
Royal Decree of 30 September 2020 on representation in patent matters (OJ 04.11.2020), amended by the Royal Decree of 19 October 2023 on the implementation of the second phase of the reform of the profession of patent attorney (OJ 01.12.2023) – consolidated version: Dutch
Internal regulations of the Institute
Internal regulations of the Institute of Patent Attorneys, version 27.05.2024, approved by ministerial decree of 30 September 2024 (OJ 09.10.2024) Link
Rules for the members of the Institute
Rules of Conduct
Version 30 September 2021, approved by royal decree of 19 December 2021 (OJ 19.01.2022) : Link
Disciplinary regulations
Royal Decree of 30 September 2020 establishing the disciplinary regulations applicable to patent attorneys (OJ 04.11.2020), amended by Royal Decree of 19 October 2023 (OJ 01.12.2023) : Link
Regulation on continuing education
Regulations on the organization of continuing education for members of the Institute of Patent Attorneys.Version 17 December 2021, approved by ministerial decree of 27 January 2022 : Link
Qualifying Examination for registration on the list of professional representatives
Examination regulations
25 February 2024 – Regulation on the examination and the proficiency test (OJ 1.03.2024) : dutch version
Enrolment
15 February 2024 – Ministerial decree on the establishment of the initial dates of the examination (OJ 1.03.2024) Link
Appointment of the Government Commissioner to the Institute
Royal Decree of 6 December 2020 appointing the Government Commissioner and his deputy to the Institute of Patent Attorneys (OJ 16.12.2020) Link
Establishment of the term of office for members of the council and chairing the general assembly of the Institute
The term of office for members of the council and chairing the general assembly of the Institute were established in article 122 of the law of 5 NOVEMBER 2023 (Law containing various provisions on economy). Link