Belgian law prohibits free sale of masks (COVID-19 law)

Summary

From our network we have learned of Belgian legislation imposing restrictions on the free sale of certain medical products. At ProductIP we see a lot of local emergency product legislation with short duration dates. Should you have information on local legislation that applies to 'COVID-19-products', please let us know so that we can inform the entire industry. 

Content

As of 23-3-2020, for the duration of 3 months, the retail sale of the following medical devices is only permitted by licensed pharmacies insofar as they are prescribed by a healthcare professional:

• surgical masks;
• screening material;
• disinfection wipes for medical use;
• respirators and related equipment and accessories:
• single-use cuffs for blood pressure measurement;
• self-adhesive ECG electrodes;
• devices used for bronchoalveolar lavage;
• single-use inhalation chambers and masks bronchoscopes.

Registered distributors shall only sell the medical devices referred to:

• other registered distributors in the products concerned;
• licensed pharmacies;
• hospitals;
• authorised healthcare professionals.

As of 23-3-2020, for the duration of 3 months, the retail sale of the following personal protective equipment and biocides is only permitted by licensed pharmacists if prescribed by a health care professional:

• FFP2 masks;
• FFP3 masks;
• hydroalcoholic gels ;
• permeable or non-permeable protective gels;
• protective goggles and masks;
• gloves (nitrile) long sleeve at least 300mm;
• hand alcohol;
• hydrogen peroxide 12% and nebulisers (nocospray).

The wholesalers shall only sell the personal protective equipment and biocides referred to in the first paragraph:

• wholesalers in the products concerned;
• licensed pharmacies;
• hospitals;
• authorised health professionals;
• companies that need them within the framework of Book 9, Title 2 of the Codex on well-being at work, and in volumes reasonably foreseeable for use within the next month.