Eric Montens focuses his practice mainly on general commercial and corporate, competition, and product risk management matters.
Eric assists national and international clients on a variety of issues concerning commercial distribution and related matters, such as franchising, selective distribution, agency, competition, licensing, and consumer protection. He regularly litigates distribution matters before national courts and arbitration panels.
As part of Eric’s product risk management practice, he advises corporations on the legislation applicable to their products when put on the EU market. He has represented manufacturers, suppliers, and importers in product safety (including product recall) matters with the national consumer safety authorities of the EU member states involving, among other things, tires, toys, children’s products, and other consumer goods. On international product risk management issues, Eric often works closely with Crowell & Moring’s U.S. offices as well as with lawyers in other parts of the world.
Eric has also been seconded to companies in the information technology/telecommunications sectors, where he has worked with clients both as part of their legal team and as stand-alone legal counsel in their day-to-day business, including software license review, general commercial contract review, distribution network development, litigation monitoring, and corporate matters.
Eric is a senior counsel in the firm’s Brussels office. He was admitted to the Brussels Bar in 2001. Before joining Crowell, he was an associate at a leading franchise and distribution law firm in Brussels.
Insights
Speeches & Presentations
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“Protecting a selective distribution network that covers only part of the EU against sales by unauthorized distributors”, International Distribution Institute, Seminar
(June 11, 2022).
Co-speaker: Eric Montens.
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“Productveiligheid in de EU en België: een algemene inleiding,” Vlaams Pleitgenootschap bij de balie Brussel, Webinar
(May 31, 2022).
Speaker: Eric Montens.
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"Product Safety – Managing the Risks," Crowell & Moring, Webinar.
(November 25, 2021).
Speakers: Eric Montens and Jurgen Figys.
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"Liability of Directors and Management," Webinar in Collaboration with IJE/IBJ
(April 27, 2021).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, Eric Montens, and Margaux van Steenbergh.
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"Covid-19 et la reprise après le confinement," Webinar in collaboration with Robert Half, Brussels, Belgium
(April 29, 2020).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert and Eric Montens.
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"Selected Topics for Non-profit Associations," Crowell & Moring Open Table, Brussels, Belgium
(November 26, 2019).
Speakers: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, and Eric Montens.
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"Internet of Things – Legal and IT Risks & Challenges," IJE/IBJ Open Table, Brussels, Belgium
(April 4, 2019).
Presenters: Tom Pace (Cylance), Maarten Stassen, Emmanuel Plasschaert, Eric Montens and Heidi Waem.
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"General Product Safety and Recall," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive - Product Liability & Security in the EU and Belgium: Handling the Risks Associated with Defective or Non-Compliant Products, Brussels
(December 6, 2018).
Presenter: Eric Montens.
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"Product Liability in Belgium," IJE/IBJ Deep Dive - Product Liability & Security in the EU and Belgium: Handling the Risks Associated with Defective or Non-Compliant Products, Brussels
(December 6, 2018).
Presenter: Eric Montens.
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"Product Liability and the Impact of the New Law," Crowell & Moring Product Liability and the Impact of the New Belgian Law on Collective Redress Seminar, Brussels
(June 20, 2014).
Speaker: Eric Montens.
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"Développements récents en matière de distribution, Le Livre X du Code de droit économique," Colloque de la Conférence du jeune barreau de Bruxelles
(April 29, 2014).
Speaker: Eric Montens.
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"Product Safety, Recalls and Liability," Product Liability, Recalls and Crisis Communication Seminar with Belgian Legal Counsel Institute, Brussels, Belgium
(September 20, 2012).
Speaker: Eric Montens.
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"Directors' and Managers' Liability: A Hands-on Approach," IJE / IBJ Deep Dive, Brussels, Belgium
Presenters: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Frederik Van Remoortel, Eric Montens, and Margaux van Steenbergh.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"B2B Relations in the Events Industry in Europe and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Force Majeure Q&A for the Belgian Sector,"
B2B Relations in the Events Industry in Europe and COVID-19 Series
(May 4, 2020).
Contacts: Jan-Diederik Lindemans, Eric Montens
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"Brexit and U.K. Consumer Product Safety Laws,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(August 23, 2016).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"European Commission Releases 2015 RAPEX Report,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(June 1, 2016).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"The European Commission Is Not Bound by EFSA’s Approval of Food Health Claims,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(June 1, 2016).
Contacts: Eric Montens, Lorenzo Di Masi
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"EU Launches Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Portal for Consumers,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 4, 2016).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"An EU Logo for Safer Online Shopping for Medicines,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(August 2015).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"EU Court Finds That Food Label May Be Misleading Even If List of Ingredients Is Not,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(June 2015).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"European Court Expands Product Liability Exposure for Medical Device Producers,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(May 2015).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"EU Publishes 2014 RAPEX Report,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(April 2015).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"New EU Food Labeling Rules Effective December 13, 2014,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(December 19, 2014).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"Belgium Introduces A Collective Redress Mechanism For Product Safety and Product Liability Claims,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(September 18, 2014).
Contacts: Emmanuel Plasschaert, Eric Montens
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"New European Commission Medical Device Safety Initiatives Aimed at Notified Bodies Will Impact Device Manufacturers As Well,"
Advertising & State AG Alert
(October 24, 2013).
Contact: Eric Montens
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"Belgian Competition Council shows its teeth and levies a 66,3 million Euro fine,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(May 29, 2009).
Contacts: Thomas De Meese, Eric Montens
Press Coverage
Firm News & Announcements