Brussels, 30/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Court of Justice has confirmed in a ruling delivered on Wednesday 30 April (C-365/13) on access to the profession of architect in Belgium that the system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications does not permit member states any exceptions.
The Belgian Council of State asked the European Court of Justice whether, as a host member state, Belgium should require an architect with a diploma awarded in another member state to take a course or provide proof of professional experience so that they could admitted to the Belgian Order of Architects and exercise this profession in Belgium.
The Court decided that member states are subject to the mutual recognition of professional qualifications system and cannot impose the requirement of obtaining or holding additional professional qualifications, as in this case (a professional course or experience), to exercise one's profession on their territory. The Court also pointed out that a previous directive had, indeed, included the possibility of imposing the condition of participating in an additional course but that the new directive on professional qualifications had removed this option. (MD)