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• Further tackling social fraud
• Investing in the future
• Working together, strengthening together
• BCR Magazine 2.0 7 Conclusion
COLLABORATION WAS THE KEY WORD IN 2024
Dear members, partners and colleagues,
The year 2024 was a year in which we, the Belgian Chamber of Removers, once again strengthened our role as the representative of the moving industry. We can look back on a year in which important steps were taken, not only in terms of professionalisation, but also in ensuring fair competition and sustainability within our sector.
One of the key milestones was the launch of Erkende Verhuizers (Approved Movers), our platform that supports both businesses and individuals in finding reliable, certified movers. This initiative is a direct response to the growing demand for transparency and quality in an industry that unfortunately faces undesirable practices. By creating this platform, we are empowering consumers to make the right choice and combating the rogue companies that damage the reputation of our sector.
In addition, we further intensified our efforts against social fraud. Social fraud remains a sore point for the sector and we remain fully committed to fighting it, including through intensive cooperation with the Social Intelligence and Investigation Service (SIIS). We also raise awareness in the media, such as with the abuses that came to light around rogue removal companies and improper tendering by local authorities.
In 2024, we also focused on the future of our industry, with the launch of a template sustainability report. This initiative provides our members with the tools to stay in line with European regulations and prepare for mandatory CSRD-reporting. We also delved into the potential of artificial intelligence, which will help us further optimise processes within the sector in the near future.
Collaboration was the key word in 2024. Whether it was forging new partnerships with organisations such as bpost, Testaankoop or our international cooperation with FEDEMAC, we believe in the power of collective action. Together, we can make more impact and further professionalise our sector.
We are proud to present this annual report, which provides an overview of the achievements and efforts of the Chamber of Removers in 2024. We are grateful for the commitment of our members, partners and all stakeholders, and confidently look forward to the opportunities and challenges that 2025 will bring us. Together, we will continue to build a strong, transparent and forward-looking moving industry.
Sincerely,
Koen Vangoidsenhoven Director Belgian Chamber of Removers
Bertil Durieux President of the Belgian Chamber of Removers
Koen Vangoidsenhoven
Bertil Durieux
WHAT DOES BCR DO
The Belgian Chamber of Removers (BCR) is the professional federation of and for approved removal companies in Belgium. More than 100 professional removal companies have joined BCR as certified movers. They commit themselves to working according to a quality charter, so that consumers can trust their correctness.
BCR is there for and by movers. We represent the professional moving companies in Belgium and we stand up for them at every level: local, national and even European, thanks to our cooperation with European professional federation FEDEMAC. Through constructive collaborations, we work on social issues such as tackling social fraud. In addition, we keep our members informed of the ins and outs of the sector.
Drawing up quality standards and contracts Managing and monitoring Social Fund
Handling complaints
Tackling social fraud
Promoting cooperation
MISSION OF BCR
Defending interests at every level
Informing and advising members
Negotiating social agreements Responding to social issues
MOVING SECTOR IN FIGURES
238,116
59 moves by BCR members in 2024
2,576
active removal companies calls to BCR in 2024 complaints to Investigation Service (SIIS) in 2024
1,216
5 HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
1
Approved Removers launch
At the end of 2024, we launched our own platform aimed at both companies and private individuals. Through Erkende Verhuizers.be, consumers easily find a professional mover who takes care of their move, deliveries or furniture and archive management with quality. We help them find their way to recognised movers. It is a counterweight we offer to counter unfair market competition, and thus distressing cases of rogue companies.
2
Further tackling social fraud
Social fraud has been a major issue for the moving industry for years, which is why we continue to hit the nail on the head. In 2023, we signed the Plan for Fair Competition, which will be systematically rolled out from January 2026. Meanwhile, we continue to notify the Social Intelligence and Investigation Service (SIIS) of any fraudulent violation we see or that is reported to us. We also keep a close eye on online platforms such as Trustpilot and 2dehands.be, on which dodgy removal companies advertise.
We also raise abuses in the media to raise general awareness of the issue. An example is the city council of Verviers, which awarded a removal order to a firm without checking whether it was legally compliant. But the press also picked up the court case against the convicted, rogue removal firm Davy Verhuizers and the abuses of Italian furniture chain Poltronesofà.
CONCLUSION
Working together, strengthening together Making a successful impact is done together. That is why the Belgian Chamber of Removers is pushing for collaborations with various partners. In 2024, we sat around the table with architects’ federation UPA-BUA to get them more involved in moving obstacles and to enthuse them to design more relocation-friendly buildings. We also work closely with Belgium’s leading postal operator bpost, which refers their customers to our Approved Movers platform. Consumer organisation Testaankoop also directs website visitors who want a smooth move to us. In addition, we cherish our international cooperation with European professional federation FEDEMAC, and together we consider the challenges for the moving industry.
BCR Magazine 2.0
We breathed new life into our member magazine and gave it a fresh new look! The quarterly magazine is the only B2B magazine in Belgium for professional movers. In this magazine, we inform and inspire our readers. And we provide solutions to clarify the complexity of entrepreneurship and the moving sector. You will therefore read reports, cases and tips from entrepreneurs and other professionals in our magazine and additionally on our blog
3
Investing in the future
With a sustainability template report, we aim to support our members in their sustainable transition. The European government imposes sustainable measures through CSRD reporting, which means that basically every company has to put sustainability on its agenda. Together with consultancy firm The Ecological Entrepreneur, we spent the past year working on the development of this template report, which our members can use and make their own. This report will be launched in 2025.
In addition, we attended a workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI at Thomas More college and are making the thought process of implementing AI even more in our sector.
2024 was a year of progress, cooperation and innovation for the Belgian Chamber of Removers. With the launch of our own Approved Movers platform, we took an important step in strengthening the sector and protecting consumers. We are also resolutely looking to the future with initiatives such as the sustainable sector report and AI workshops, aimed at making the moving world more efficient and environmentally aware.
The fight against social fraud remained a prominent challenge, but thanks to joint efforts and perseverance, we once again exposed and tackled malpractices. Cooperation with various partners, from architects to bpost, also further strengthened our position as a sector organisation. 2024 was a year of building and strengthening; a solid foundation on which we will continue to work in the years to come.
Follow us closely
You may already be following our LinkedIn page, where we highlight trends, highlight members and post sector-specific information. Are you a member? Then you also receive newsletters and relevant sector updates and are welcome to attend our regional meetings and general assembly. The ideal moments for networking and inspiration!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF BCR? Surf to www.bkv-cbd.be and send the completed affiliation form to the secretariat at info@bkv-cbd.be Belgian Chamber of Removers Stroobantsstraat 48 A - 1140 Evere TEL. 00 32 2 240 45 70 - FAX 00 32 2 240 45 79 info@bkv-cbd.be - www.bkv-cbd.be