On 9 April 2024, the Commission announced a new investigation under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR') to examine whether foreign subsidies distort competition in the European wind power market.

This regular alert covers key regulatory EU developments related to the COVID-19 situation. It does not purport to provide an exhaustive overview of developments and contains no analysis or opinion.

At the end of last year, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision to prolong sanctions against Russia by six months, until 31 July 2020.

The Council of the EU has agreed a set sanctions against Turkey over its "illegal drilling" off the coast of Cyprus.

The European Union has adopted a targeted "mini" sanctions package against Russia, introducing 87 new designations across multiple regimes while creating a specific derogation for transactions with Chinese chip trader Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. This rolling sanctions approach marks a shift in EU strategy, targeting entities across eight jurisdictions including China, UAE, and Turkey, while addressing supply chain disruptions caused by previous designations.

The Flemish government has adopted a comprehensive reform of its Arms Trade Decree, introducing a risk-based licensing system that differentiates between low-risk and high-risk jurisdictions while expanding exemptions for NATO and EEA countries. The new framework, set to enter force in December 2027, aims to balance facilitating legitimate defense trade with maintaining effective export controls, while aligning more closely with European regulations and reducing administrative burdens for companies.

Pre-registration of substances under REACH started on 1 June 2008 and ends on 1 December 2008. Substances on their own, in preparations or in articles which are not pre-registered during that period cannot be manufactured in the EU.

Belgium has significantly strengthened its sanctions enforcement framework through revised legislation that entered into force on 1 September 2026. The new Economic Sanctions Law grants authorities broader investigative powers, establishes a dedicated sanctions investigation team, and dramatically increases both administrative and criminal penalties for violations of EU economic sanctions.

Among its ongoing efforts to reinforce sanctions against Russia and prevent circumvention of export bans, the EU introduced a new measure as part of its twelfth package of sanctions adopted on December 18, 2023.

The amendments include an increase in the limited amount of assistance and technical adjustments.

This is taking a heavy toll on the European economy and particularly on energy prices, a situation that is unlikely to improve in the coming months.

New trade and financial sanctions against Russia | OFSI updates correspondent banking restrictions and oil price cap | New unit to crack down on sanctions evasion | New general licences for sanctioned...

The war in Ukraine as well as sanctions against Russia by the international community are disrupting global supply chains.

Compliance with export control laws is one of the main challenges of a compliance department.

The European Commission on October 16 released a Recommendation on guidelines to help exporters comply with Article 5 of Regulation 2021/821 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports...

Further to our previous sanctions newsletters we herewith inform about recent sanctions developments, following the Council's adoption of the ninth sanction package on 16 December 2022...

The new revision of the European Works Council Directive has been adopted by the Council of Europe. It aims to strengthen the functioning of European Works Councils and improve the effectiveness of consultation.

Mede ten gevolge van de oorlog in Oekraïne en de sancties die daarop werden genomen tegen Rusland, kennen heel wat afgewerkte producten ...

EU imposes 10th sanctions package and new sanctions from US and UK.

On 8 March 2023, the General Court granted Violetta Prigozhina's request to annul the restrictive measures imposed via Council Regulation (EU) 2022/260...