Belgian legislation

The value of the undisturbed electric field, in undisturbed regime, generated by any electrical installation involved in the transmission or distribution of electrical energy, must remain lower than the following values measured at 1.5 m above the ground (or home):

  • Inhabited area, or area intended for habitation on sector plan: 5 kV/m
  • Overhangs of roads: 7 kV/m
  • Other places: 10 kV/m

See https://www.health.belgium.be/

There is to date no particular Belgian legislation concerning exposure to power frequency magnetic induction.

In the Flemish Region

Order on indoor pollution (11 June 2004) that provides quality values for chemical, physical and biotic factors has been changed the 13th of july 2018: for magnetic fields, it specifies a new guide value of 0.4 µT and a new intervention value of 20 µT.
The procedure on how to measure 50 Hz has been specified (PDF: Aanbevolen meetmethode ELF)

To protect against acute health effects from outdoor sources, a new standard (VLAREM) has been added, with an instantaneous exposure limit of 100 µT (Flemish government decision here). With regard to long-term exposure, measures based on EC guidelines have been taken, limiting the average annual exposure to 0.4 µT (Flemish government standard here).

In the Brussels-Capital Region

Order on operating conditions of static transformers (nominal power between 250 and 1000 kVA) (9 September 1999):

  • The value of the undisturbed electric field, in undisturbed regime: < 5 kV/m
  • Outside the substation, the value of 50/60 Hz magnetic induction is limited to 100 µT (permanent exposure) and 1000 µT (acute exposure).

>>http://www.etaamb.be/fr/arrete-du-gouvernement-de-la-region-de-bruxellescapit_n2000031023.html
>> http://www.etaamb.be/nl/besluit-van-de-brusselse-hoofdstedelijke-regering-van-_n2000031023.html

The following requirement also applies to all new static transformers:

In all premises in which children under 15 are likely to stay, magnetic induction value at 50/60 Hz generated by the transformer is limited to a guide value of 0.4 µT (based on a daily average of 24 hours), excluding areas influenced by cables before they enter the plot of land with the transformer.

If this requirement cannot be met, it is beyond the applicant’s duty to provide the proof of all potential technical or economical impossibilities and to mention the lowest achievable level according to the BATNEEC principle (Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost), but magnetic induction value can never exceed 10 µT.

Imposed by Bruxelles Environnement – IBGE / Leefmilieu Brussel – BIM and based on a ministerial circular dated 29/03/2013.

>> See further in the Brugel website (pdf in French, pages 17-18)

In the Walloon Region

The Decree on Indoor Air Quality of 31 January 2019 was amended on 8 February 2024 by the addition of a “very low frequency electromagnetic radiation” component).

The Decree of the Walloon Government of 30 May 2024 therefore establishing the guide and intervention values referred to in the Decree of 31 January 2019 sets the following values:

  Guide value Intervention value (value that triggers action)
Chronic exposure 0,4 µT 20 µT
Acute exposure 100 µT

 

Order on operating conditions of static transformers (nominal power equal to or greater than 1.500 kVA) (1 December 2005):

  • Outside the substation (permanent exposure), the value of the 50 Hz undisturbed electric field, in undisturbed regime, is limited to < 5 kV/m
  • Outside the substation (permanent exposure), the value of the 50 Hz undisturbed magnetic field, in undisturbed regime, is limited to < 100 μT

See ‘Législation belge‘ for further information.

Order on stationary batteries (product of the capacity in Ah and the voltage in V greater than 10 000) (12 December 2006 (add. 22 January 2007)):

  • Outside the electrical safety area of the inverter system (permanent exposure), the value of the 50 Hz undisturbed electric field, in undisturbed regime, is limited to < 5 kV/m
  • Outside the electrical safety area of the inverter system (permanent exposure), the value of the 50 Hz undisturbed magnetic field, in undisturbed regime, is limited to < 100 μT

See ‘Législation belge‘ for further information.

Electromagnetic compatibility

See in French or in Dutch.

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