05/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Architects' Council of Europe (ACE) has criticised the recent decision by the Commission to fine the Belgian Architects' Association (see EUROPE of 25 June, p.15). The ACE feels that underlying the Commission's decision is a "persistent misunderstanding" of the exact nature and the specific characteristics of the profession of architect. The Commission's idea that architects' price structures should reflect the real value of the service (and not be calculated depending on the value of work carried out) "simply does not apply to architectural services, because the client is not the end consumer", says the ACE. Furthermore, in certain countries (such as Belgium), architects' undertakings include public services elements, which are delegated upon them by the State.