EU Product Regulation Round-Up: Autumn 2023

The EU continues to pursue a rapid and ambitious legislative programme around environmental regulation. Its regulations in the product space have in many respects and for many years been viewed by multinational manufacturers as the "gold standard" and therefore the de facto rules to which all products destined for international sales must adhere. In fact, the EU counts on this phenomenon, known as "the Brussels effect", to drive up higher standards worldwide in its priority areas such as the reduction of hazardous substances or prevention of waste and increasingly, curbing worldwide carbon emissions. However, recent proposals are likely to prove quite challenging for manufacturers and importers to comply with, as the EU seeks to promote the "S" and the "G" aspects of the ESG agenda, whilst reacting to the political environment, with the war in Ukraine and energy crisis being important current policy drivers.