What is the EN 12195 standard and why does it matter for road freight in Belgium?

EN 12195 is the European standard governing cargo securing on road vehicles — it specifies the minimum lashing forces, securing methods (lashing, blocking, friction), and equipment ratings required to prevent cargo movement during transit. In Belgium, compliance with EN 12195 is mandatory under the Code de la Route. If cargo is damaged during transit and load securing was inadequate under EN 12195, the carrier bears primary liability. If the shipper provided inaccurate cargo weight or centre of gravity data at booking, shared liability may be established — making accurate cargo declaration at the point of booking a direct risk management requirement for Belgian shippers.