The Belgian contractor recognition system works on two axes: categories (the type of work) and classes (the contract value). The base article on contractor recognition gives the overview of the 16 main categories and 8 classes. This page goes one layer deeper: which subcategories exist within each main category, which works do they cover, and where do the legal pitfalls sit? It is the reference list to keep alongside every tender specification before you bid.
The 16 main categories: which letters exist?
The official series comprises sixteen main categories, designated by letters. The series skips letters: there is no category I, J, O, Q, R or U. The correct series is therefore:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, S, T, V
Sources that speak of “A to P” or “A to U” are inaccurate. When a tender specification asks for “category U” or “category I”, that is either a typing error or a reference to a foreign equivalent classification. In both cases, actively query the contracting authority.
| Code | Designation | Typical works |
|---|---|---|
| A | General dredging contractors | Dredging and clearance works in waterways, ports, canals |
| B | General hydraulic works contractors | Locks, weirs, bank reinforcements, dams |
| C | General road-building contractors | Asphalting, concrete surfaces, sewerage, signage |
| D | General building contractors | Structural works, finishings, façades, roofs, joinery |
| E | General civil engineering contractors | Bridges, tunnels, viaducts, quay walls |
| F | General metal construction contractors | Steel construction, metal load-bearing structures |
| G | Earthworks | General earthworks, drilling, drainage, demolition |
| H | Railway works | Construction and maintenance of rail infrastructure |
| K | Mechanical equipment | Industrial mechanics, lifting equipment, lock mechanisms |
| L | Hydromechanical equipment | Pipelines, pumping stations, turbine stations |
| M | Electronic equipment | Signalling and control systems, security |
| N | Transport installations in buildings | Lifts, escalators, goods transport in ducts |
| P | Electrotechnical installations | Electricity, high voltage, public lighting |
| S | Telecommunications and data transmission | Telephony, radar, antennas, data processing |
| T | Mechanical installations | Lightning conductors, refrigeration, kitchens, laundries, abattoirs |
| V | Water treatment installations | Wastewater treatment, drinking water production |
The classes: financial cap — with an important development in 2024
The classes indicate the maximum contract value an entrepreneur may execute in a given category. Until June 2024 the amounts that had not been indexed since 1991 applied:
| Class | Maximum amount (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| 1 | up to €135,000 |
| 2 | up to €275,000 |
| 3 | up to €500,000 |
| 4 | up to €900,000 |
| 5 | up to €1,810,000 |
| 6 | up to €3,225,000 |
| 7 | up to €5,330,000 |
| 8 | above €5,330,000 — unlimited |
Subcategories per main category
Category A — Dredging works
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| A1 | Refloating of vessels and removal of wrecks |
Dredging and clearance works themselves fall under main category A.
Category B — Hydraulic works
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| B1 | Clearing of watercourses |
Category C — Road works
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| C1 | Ordinary sewerage works (private connections, gullies, rainwater drainage) |
| C2 | Water supply and laying of various pipelines (drinking water, gas, non-electrical utilities) |
| C3 | Non-electrical traffic signs, safety devices, fences and screens |
| C5 | Bituminous surfaces and surface dressings (asphalting, surface treatments) |
| C6 | Laying of power and telecommunications cables in trenches, without connection |
| C7 | Horizontal pipe-jacking (pushing pipelines under roads without open trench) |
Category D — Building works (the broadest)
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| D1 | All structural works and bringing buildings under roof |
| D4 | Acoustic and thermal insulation, light partition walls, suspended ceilings, raised floors |
| D5 | Joinery, timber roof trusses and stairs |
| D6 | Marble and stonework |
| D7 | Wrought ironwork |
| D8 | Roof coverings in asphalt products (or similar) and waterproofing works |
| D10 | Tiling |
| D11 | Plastering and rendering |
| D12 | Non-metal, non-asphalt coverings (tiles, slates) |
| D13 | Painting |
| D14 | Glazing |
| D15 | Parquet flooring |
| D16 | Sanitary installations and gas heating via individual appliances |
| D17 | Central heating, thermal installations |
| D18 | Ventilation, hot-air heating and air conditioning |
| D20 | Metal joinery (aluminium and steel frames, curtain walling) |
| D21 | Façade cleaning and refurbishment |
| D22 | Metal roof coverings and zinc work |
| D23 | Restoration by craftsmen |
| D24 | Restoration of monuments |
| D25 | Wall and floor coverings (excluding marble, parquet, tiles) |
| D29 | Screeds and coverings for industrial floors |
Codes missing from this table (such as D2, D3, D9, D19, D26, D27, D28) are less common in practice or have been historically removed — some still appear in current FPS tables. For a requested code you do not find in this table, consult the current FPS Economy classification.
Category E — Civil engineering
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| E1 | Main sewers (large collector sewers, trunk sewers) |
| E2 | Pile foundations, sheet piling and diaphragm walls |
| E4 | Horizontal pipe-jacking of parts of structures |
Category F — Metal constructions
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| F1 | Assembly and disassembly works (without supplies) |
| F2 | Construction of metal load-bearing structures (with supplies) |
| F3 | Industrial painting on metal constructions (anti-corrosion) |
Category G — Earthworks
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| G1 | Drilling and sounding works and injections |
| G2 | Drainage works |
| G3 | Planting |
| G4 | Special coverings for sports fields (artificial turf, athletics tracks) |
| G5 | Demolition works (demolition, asbestos removal in connection with demolition, dismantling) |
Category H — Railway works
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| H1 | Welding of rails |
| H2 | Installation of contact wires (overhead lines for train, tram, metro) |
Category K — Mechanical equipment
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| K1 | Equipment for civil engineering structures and industrial mechanics |
| K2 | Installation of lifting and handling equipment (cranes, gantries) |
| K3 | Oleomechanical equipment (hydraulic oil-driven) |
Category L — Hydromechanical equipment
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| L1 | Laying of pipelines (large industrial networks) |
| L2 | Equipping pumping and turbine stations |
Category M — Electronic equipment
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| M1 | Equipment for traffic signalling (not along motorways) |
| M2 | Equipment for traffic signalling along motorways |
The exact current wording of M subcategories may differ slightly — for targeted bids, always consult the current FPS Economy table.
Category N — Transport installations in buildings
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| N1 | Lifts, goods lifts, escalators, moving walkways |
| N2 | Pneumatic and mechanical transport in ducts and tubes (mail-tube systems) |
Category P — Electrotechnical installations
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| P1 | Electrical installations in buildings (including emergency generators, fire and burglar detection, small data networks, mixed telephony) |
| P2 | Electrical and electromechanical installations of structures and industrial sites, exterior electrical installations (high voltage, industrial, public lighting) |
| P3 | Overhead electricity lines (high-voltage pylons, distribution lines) |
| P4 | Electrical installations of port facilities |
Category S — Telecommunications and data transmission
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| S1 | Public telephone and telegraph equipment |
| S2 | Remote control, remote monitoring and remote measurement (SCADA, telemetry) |
| S3 | Radio and television broadcasting, radar and antenna installations |
| S4 | Information processing and process control (IT systems, industrial automation) |
Category T — Mechanical installations
| Code | Designation |
|---|---|
| T2 | Lightning conductors, receiving antennas |
| T3 | Refrigeration installations (industrial refrigeration, cold rooms, climate chambers) |
| T4 | Laundries and large kitchens |
| T6 | Equipment for abattoirs |
Category V — Water treatment installations
Category V operates in practice at the main category level, without formally named subcategories in the sources I could cross-verify. In case of doubt, consult the current FPS Economy table.
Common confusions
1. D8 (subcategory roof coverings) vs. class 8 (highest class)
This is a frequent reading error in procurement documents. D8 is a subcategory for asphalt-product roof coverings and waterproofing works. Class 8, by contrast, is the highest financial class, for contracts above €5,330,000 (old amounts — see warning above). A notice asking for “category D, class 8” is different from one asking for “D8”. When in doubt: re-read and ask the Q&A forum.
2. Main category versus subcategory
A recognition in main category D does not automatically cover subcategories D1, D4, D11, etc. The Belgian Council of State has expressly confirmed this: a recognition in a subcategory cannot be equated to one in a main category, and vice versa. The contracting authority chooses based on the nature of the works. For general building works, D suffices; for plastering alone, it must ask for D11 — not D.
3. D17 (central heating) vs. P1 (electrical installations)
For technical installations in a building, the line between D16/D17/D18 and P1 is not always obvious. Sanitation and gas fall under D16, central heating under D17, ventilation and air conditioning under D18, electricity under P1. For mixed contracts, the main category of the centre of gravity is usually asked, or several categories together.
4. C2 (water and pipe laying) vs. L1 (industrial pipelines)
C2 concerns the laying of pipelines in public space and road tracks (drinking water, gas, etc.). L1 concerns industrial pipelines within installations (compressed air, steam, process water). For large tracks along or under roads, the contracting authority generally asks for C2; for installations on industrial sites, L1.
5. F1 vs. F2 for steel construction
F1 covers only assembly without supply. F2 includes both supply and assembly of metal load-bearing structures. For complete steel construction — where the contractor also supplies — F1 does not suffice and F2 is required.
6. D24 (restoration of monuments) vs. D23 (artisan restoration)
For protected immovable heritage, D24 is generally required. D23 covers artisan restoration without specific monumental status. D1 (structural works) does not suffice for classical restoration work.
7. G5 (demolition works) vs. general G recognition
A general G recognition does not automatically cover demolition. G5 is a separate subcategory and is often asked separately for demolition contracts.
8. C6 (laying cables in trenches) vs. P/S (connecting)
C6 covers only the mechanical part: laying cables in the streets. Connection and commissioning require a P recognition (power) or S recognition (telecom). For combined contracts, C6 + P (or S) are usually requested together.
Consortia and subcontractors
Consortium (formerly temporary commercial company)
Since the Code of Companies and Associations, the old “temporary commercial company” has formally become a temporary partnership. In tender specifications “TCC” or “consortium” remain in use. Two rules apply:
- One member must be recognised in the correct (sub)category and class. The consortium is deemed to hold the required recognition as long as that one member meets the class corresponding to the full contract value and the other members satisfy the minimum conditions of the Royal Decree of 26 September 1991 (financial capacity, capital, technical means). The other members must themselves be recognised in a class proportionate to their share in execution.
- Two members in the same class = class uplift. If at least two members of the consortium are recognised in the same class and the same (sub)category, the consortium is deemed recognised in the immediately higher class of that same (sub)category. Exception: this rule does not apply if all the members concerned are recognised only in the lowest class.
Subcontractors
For contracts where recognition is required, the subcontractor must also hold a valid recognition in the correct subcategory and in a class corresponding to the value of their portion. A lower class than that of the main contract is permitted, provided it is proportionate. What is not permitted: a subcontractor in a wrong subcategory.
Reliance on a third entity
A bidder who is not recognised themselves can rely on a third entity under article 73 of the Royal Decree on Placement of 18 April 2017. The Belgian Council of State enforces this strictly: the bidder must in principle be recognised, and the third entity must be effectively deployable — not merely “on paper”. For the practical mechanics, see the article on reliance on third parties and consortia.
How to look up recognitions
- Database of recognised contractors — FPS Economy (ng3.economie.fgov.be/ni/agrea/) shows per company number the recognised (sub)categories, classes and validity period.
- CBE Public Search (kbopub.economie.fgov.be) provides basic company data, not recognition details.
- The required subcategory in a notice usually appears in the selection criteria under “Technical and professional capacity” or in the specific “Recognition” rubric (article 70 Royal Decree on Placement 2017). For European contracts on TED, in section III.1.3.
- In the event of contradiction between notice and tender specification, you must flag the error in good time via the Q&A forum — failing which you risk inadmissibility of a later challenge (settled case-law of the Belgian Council of State).
Recent updates (2023–2026)
Royal Decree of 14 April 2024 raising class amounts — annulled
The Royal Decree of 14 April 2024 raised all class amounts by 20%, entering into force on 1 June 2024. On 12 December 2024 the Belgian Council of State annulled this Royal Decree because only the amounts had been adjusted, without simultaneously recalibrating the recognition conditions (equity, staffing). The old 1991 amounts therefore apply again. For any tender in progress: check which amounts applied on the date of publication.
No changes to the subcategory structure
The classification in (sub)categories under the Ministerial Decree of 27 September 1991 has not been substantively changed in this period. Adjustments since 2018 are editorial, not structural.
Belgian Council of State case-law 2024–2025
Three principles are reaffirmed by recent rulings:
- The bidder itself must in principle be recognised — reliance on a third party is only possible within the strict conditions of article 73 Royal Decree on Placement.
- A subcategory cannot stand in for a main category, and vice versa.
- For complex contracts, the contracting authority enjoys discretion to choose the category that reflects the centre of gravity of the works.
Common mistakes
Misreading the requested code. A tender specification asking for “D8” is not asking for “class 8 in category D”. Re-read when in doubt.
Assuming a recognition in D covers all D subcategories. It does not — D is for general building works, D11 for plastering, D17 for central heating. For specialised works, the contracting authority asks for the specific subcategory.
Underestimating consortium rules. For large contracts, a consortium with two equally recognised members can reach a higher class. Plan strategically when you sit just below a class threshold.
No validity check. A recognition is valid for five years and can be revised or withdrawn. Before each bid, check that your recognition is still current via the FPS database.
Subcategory mismatch with a subcontractor. The subcontractor may have a lower class but not a wrong subcategory. The Belgian Council of State systematically sanctions this.
Sources
- Act of 20 March 1991 — recognition of contractors of works
- Royal Decree of 26 September 1991 — implementing decree
- Ministerial Decree of 27 September 1991 — classification of works
- FPS Economy — Recognition of contractors
- FPS Economy — Class classification of recognised contractors (PDF)
- Database of recognised contractors — FPS Economy
- Royal Decree on Placement of 18 April 2017 — BOSA
- Bouwunie — Maximum class amounts reverted after Council of State ruling
- Lydian — Change in maximum recognition amounts from 1 June 2024
- GD&A Lawyers — Council of State: subcategory ≠ main category
- Everest Law — Must the bidder itself be recognised (April 2025)
- Securex — Recognition of subcontractors in 10 questions
- ADEB-VBA — The recognition
- ICCI — Recognition as contractor (PDF)