COSH! checks Belgian ecocheques: here's what you need to know

Do you live in Belgium and do you get eco-vouchers or are you a business owner who accepts them? In this article, we list which products they apply to so you know when to use them and which rules apply for which product category.

What are eco vouchers?

Eco-vouchers were created to encourage purchases of certain more sustainable products and services and are often offered by employers as fringe benefits. This means that when you receive eco-cheques as a worker, you do not have to pay taxes or other social contributions on them. However, there is a legal ceiling for eco-vouchers that can be adjusted every year.

In turn, for entrepreneurs, accepting eco-cheques means they more easily attract people interested in more ecological products. This can provide a competitive advantage over companies that do not accept eco-cheques, even if they offer similar products.

Conditions for offering or using eco-vouchers

When considering eco-cheques for the first time, it is best to check what rights and obligations you have to use them, whether you are an employer or employee. The checklist below lists the main product categories on which they are valid. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. To be sure, contact your employer or company’s ecocheque provider.

Checklist for ecocheques

Textiles: products with a GOTS label and EU Ecolabel.
Second-hand or thrift shops: all products, except appliances with non-electric motors or appliances that run on both electricity and fossil fuels.
Cosmetics and skincare: products with the COSMEBIO label that also have a ‘bio’ logo, EU Ecolabel, Ecogarantie label or EU organic farming logo.
Bed linen, interior textiles, mattresses or furniture: products that have the EU Ecolabel, FSC or PEFC label.
Children’s (clothing) shop: washable nappies and clothing (see point 1).
Packaging-free shops and food shops: products displaying the EU organic farming logo, EU Ecolabel or Biogarantie label.
Biogarantie shop: all products
Providers of agricultural products recognised by ‘Right from the farmer’ or ‘Directe de la ferme’: all products
Clothing rental platforms: same conditions as second-hand shops.
Repair point: all types of repairs, except for appliances with non-electric motors

Companies are not obliged to offer ecocheques as a means of payment. Would you like to offer them anyway? Then contact an approved ecocheque company and register as a trader. As a consumer, participating merchants can be recognised by the green ecocheque icon.

Tips for entrepreneurs

Keep up to date with the latest updates (usually every 2 years) at www.myecocheques.be.
Prepare for rounds of inspections in March 2025 and May 2025. Find more info at www.myecocheques.be.
Having doubts? Contact your eco-cheque provider.

Sources

Boodschappenlijst myecocheques.be. (2023). In www.myecocheques.be, www.myecocheques.be. Geraadpleegd op 20 februari 2025, van https://www.myecocheques.be/public/VIAGER210305-Ecocheque-Catalogue-NL_07_VOL.pdf