110 results The ACM’s priorities in 2023: the energy transition, digitalisation, and sustainability On 26 January 2023, the ACM announced that its priorities for 2023 would be the energy transition, the digital economy, and sustainability. This agenda is unsurprising in view of the ACM’s recent policy statements and enforcement actions. European Commission Updates High-Risk Third Countries List The European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation (EU/2025/1184) amending its list of high-risk third countries under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Directive. No impairment of the EC’s impartiality: ECJ upholds Scania judgment The ECJ upheld the Commission’s fine on Scania for participating in a cartel. The Commission’s impartiality is not necessarily impaired by having the Commission case team in charge of the settlement procedure also deal with the penalty decision. EU Compass: Boosting competitiveness as North Star Are ‘European champion’ companies walled off from unfair (foreign) competition the future? The European Commission recently presented its Competitiveness Compass to navigate the European Union to strengthened competitiveness. Costly Capsules: Court calls foul on Leadiant On 13 February 2025, the District Court of Rotterdam upheld the ACM’s approach in its ruling on the appeal against the regulator’s first-ever excessive pricing fine. Op naar hoe: de volgende stap in het AFM-toezicht op duurzaamheidsclaims De Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) maant financiële ondernemingen tot uitgebreidere, concretere en duidelijkere communicatie over duurzaamheid. Solace for companies seeking guidance on sustainability agreements Now that the European Commission adopted the revised Horizontal Guidelines (HGs), including the new chapter on sustainability agreements, companies wishing to set up sustainability initiatives finally have more certainty on the applicable guidance. The Draghi Report: a reality check for ESG regulation in the EU On 17 September 2024, former president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi published his report to the European Commission with observations on Europe’s sustainable competitiveness and recommendations for Europe’s future. Belgian Competition Authority opens first hybrid cartel proceedings In the first hybrid cartel proceedings by the Belgian Competition Authority, the Prosecutor recently submitted a draft decision to condemn and impose a fine on pharmaceutical wholesaler CERP SA for allegedly participating in anticompetitive practices. ESG and potential director’s liability: taking the lead in the transition to more sustainable business operations There is a lot coming at companies with regard to sustainability matters these days. This could also affect company directors’ responsibilities and liability. In this article, we will discuss some points of attention and share our practical observations. Developments in green bonds: On 21 December 2024 the EU Green Bond Regulation starts to apply In this blog, Marieke Driessen and Niek Groenendijk of our Financial Markets team discuss the EU green bonds regulation which will start applying in 2024. Transition Finance Transition finance provides options for borrowers and issuers who are not able or willing to commit to green and sustainability principles in their financing options, as they are transitioning their businesses onto the path towards a sustainable future. No time to rest! Updates on Dutch and European investment screening After a busy 2024 in terms of screening action, there is no time to take a rest for the Dutch and EU legislators on the topic of investment screening. Time for another update! Forewarned is forearmed: RPM still top of mind The clock is ticking for companies to set the record straight on resale price maintenance (RPM). Retailers must be able to determine their own retail prices without any direct or indirect meddling by suppliers. Employers beware: the Commission joins the ‘labour party’ Companies should review their recruitment and hiring policies and practices. The Commission has joined the hunt for ‘job cartels’ with its first ever cartel in the labour market. Meta fined for Facebook Marketplace’s Unfair Trading Conditions and Tying Unfair trading conditions and tying are gaining traction as alleged abusive practices in the digital industry, as the European Commission fines Meta EUR 797.72 million for hindering competitors of Facebook Marketplace. New EU regulation of loan origination by funds What funds providing debt finance in the EU need to know about new EU rules for loan origination funds. Informal views issued in agricultural industry and banana sector The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) informally accepted a commitment agreed by the partners of the Belgian Agro Food Chain Platform, limiting the possibility to contractually exclude the theory of change of circumstances. Pagination Previous page Page 3 Current page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Next page
The ACM’s priorities in 2023: the energy transition, digitalisation, and sustainability On 26 January 2023, the ACM announced that its priorities for 2023 would be the energy transition, the digital economy, and sustainability. This agenda is unsurprising in view of the ACM’s recent policy statements and enforcement actions.
European Commission Updates High-Risk Third Countries List The European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation (EU/2025/1184) amending its list of high-risk third countries under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Directive.
No impairment of the EC’s impartiality: ECJ upholds Scania judgment The ECJ upheld the Commission’s fine on Scania for participating in a cartel. The Commission’s impartiality is not necessarily impaired by having the Commission case team in charge of the settlement procedure also deal with the penalty decision.
EU Compass: Boosting competitiveness as North Star Are ‘European champion’ companies walled off from unfair (foreign) competition the future? The European Commission recently presented its Competitiveness Compass to navigate the European Union to strengthened competitiveness.
Costly Capsules: Court calls foul on Leadiant On 13 February 2025, the District Court of Rotterdam upheld the ACM’s approach in its ruling on the appeal against the regulator’s first-ever excessive pricing fine.
Op naar hoe: de volgende stap in het AFM-toezicht op duurzaamheidsclaims De Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) maant financiële ondernemingen tot uitgebreidere, concretere en duidelijkere communicatie over duurzaamheid.
Solace for companies seeking guidance on sustainability agreements Now that the European Commission adopted the revised Horizontal Guidelines (HGs), including the new chapter on sustainability agreements, companies wishing to set up sustainability initiatives finally have more certainty on the applicable guidance.
The Draghi Report: a reality check for ESG regulation in the EU On 17 September 2024, former president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi published his report to the European Commission with observations on Europe’s sustainable competitiveness and recommendations for Europe’s future.
Belgian Competition Authority opens first hybrid cartel proceedings In the first hybrid cartel proceedings by the Belgian Competition Authority, the Prosecutor recently submitted a draft decision to condemn and impose a fine on pharmaceutical wholesaler CERP SA for allegedly participating in anticompetitive practices.
ESG and potential director’s liability: taking the lead in the transition to more sustainable business operations There is a lot coming at companies with regard to sustainability matters these days. This could also affect company directors’ responsibilities and liability. In this article, we will discuss some points of attention and share our practical observations.
Developments in green bonds: On 21 December 2024 the EU Green Bond Regulation starts to apply In this blog, Marieke Driessen and Niek Groenendijk of our Financial Markets team discuss the EU green bonds regulation which will start applying in 2024.
Transition Finance Transition finance provides options for borrowers and issuers who are not able or willing to commit to green and sustainability principles in their financing options, as they are transitioning their businesses onto the path towards a sustainable future.
No time to rest! Updates on Dutch and European investment screening After a busy 2024 in terms of screening action, there is no time to take a rest for the Dutch and EU legislators on the topic of investment screening. Time for another update!
Forewarned is forearmed: RPM still top of mind The clock is ticking for companies to set the record straight on resale price maintenance (RPM). Retailers must be able to determine their own retail prices without any direct or indirect meddling by suppliers.
Employers beware: the Commission joins the ‘labour party’ Companies should review their recruitment and hiring policies and practices. The Commission has joined the hunt for ‘job cartels’ with its first ever cartel in the labour market.
Meta fined for Facebook Marketplace’s Unfair Trading Conditions and Tying Unfair trading conditions and tying are gaining traction as alleged abusive practices in the digital industry, as the European Commission fines Meta EUR 797.72 million for hindering competitors of Facebook Marketplace.
New EU regulation of loan origination by funds What funds providing debt finance in the EU need to know about new EU rules for loan origination funds.
Informal views issued in agricultural industry and banana sector The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) informally accepted a commitment agreed by the partners of the Belgian Agro Food Chain Platform, limiting the possibility to contractually exclude the theory of change of circumstances.