Major adjustments to Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
June 2025 - Major adjustments to the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) have been in force since 28 March 2025. This reform, announced on 1 January 2025, mainly involves changes to the classification of business activities and the structure of NACE codes.
New classification and limitations
The NACE codes classifying economic activities of enterprises were updated from the 2008 version (seven-digit) to the 2025 version (five-digit). This also limited the number of main activities allowed to a maximum of five per establishment unit. Only activities that are effectively carried out may still be registered. This reform aims to increase the accuracy and timeliness of business data in the CBE.
Three types of activities
There are now three clearly defined types of activities:
Main activities: these are the core activities that generate turnover or for which the largest number of employees are employed. Each enterprise must record at least one and may record up to five main activities per establishment unit.
Secondary activities: activities that also have economic value but are not the core. There is no maximum, provided they are activities actually performed.
Auxiliary activities: activities without direct economic output, such as internal logistics or purchasing. These no longer need to be registered in the CBE and will disappear automatically from 8 May 2025, unless they are converted to core or ancillary activities.
Action required on existing aid activities
Companies with registered auxiliary activities will receive a letter from the FPS Economy in this regard. If it turns out that a so-called aid activity is in fact an economic activity, it must be reclassified as a main or secondary activity. If it is indeed an internal support activity, at least one economic activity must be registered at that establishment.
Adjustments can be made free of charge through My Enterprise or through an enterprise counter. In the case of simultaneous adjustments (such as a change of address), no additional costs are charged for the update of NACE codes.
Possible consequences of incorrect registration
An incomplete or incorrect CBE registration can have far-reaching consequences:
Tax risks: certain levies (such as FASFC or SABAM) and deductibility of expenses depend on CBE data.
Legal consequences: previously, an invalid registration automatically led to inadmissibility of legal claims. Now regularisation is possible, but the basic rule still applies.
Administrative fines: these can amount to €10,000, although this is usually preceded by a reminder.
Impact on NSSO reductions: target group reductions may lapse if employees are linked to incorrectly registered establishments.
Subsidy conditions: premiums such as the SME portfolio require correct mention of the main activity.
Insurance coverage: professional liability insurance may prove incomplete in the event of a claim if the activity is not correctly listed in the CBE.
