The Peace Institute examines legislation and policy concerning the international arms trade and monitors, in actual facts and figures, the arms production and arms trade within Flanders.

Since 2003 the regions have been responsible in Belgium for the import, export and transit of strategically important goods. This means that Flanders implements its own control policy for the foreign trade of military goods, firearms and dual-use items. Military goods are arms or parts of arms that are used in a military context. Firearms make up a special category: the armed forces and the police, as well as civilians can buy, own and use these. Dual-use items are not developed specifically for military purposes but may nevertheless have a military application.

Belgium has its own legislation for the foreign trade of these goods. Increasingly, however, regulation is determined at European and at international level. That is why the Peace Institute closely monitors regional, European and international regulation.

In addition to the regulatory framework, the Peace Institute also monitors the trade in military goods, firearms and dual-use items in actual facts and figures. Special emphasis is placed, among others, on the end use of such goods.

The Flemish Peace Institute is a partner of the EU Non-Proliferation Consortium.