In order to combat delays in payment in commercial transactions, the Belgian legislator has transposed the EU Directive of 29 June 2000 on combating late payment in commercial transactions in its Act of 2 August 2002 on combating late payment (hereinafter the "Act"). The Act applies to all payments as remuneration for the delivery of goods or the rendering of services. These transactions must be between enterprises or between an enterprise and a contracting public authority. The Act does not apply to transactions between or with consumers. The Act defines "enterprise" as any undertaking in the course of its economic or professional activity. Such undertaking can be exercised by one person or several persons. The definition of enterprise goes beyond the traditional concept of "merchant, trader" and also includes the liberal professions (e.g. pharmacists, doctors, bailiffs, notaries, lawyers), artisans and agricultural undertakings.
