Germany: Compliance

The EU Cyber Resilience Act establishes cybersecurity as a prerequisite for EU market access, affecting not only hardware products with digital elements but also standalone software. Manufacturers must navigate new conformity assessments, CE marking requirements, and mandatory free security updates during defined support periods. These requirements may force companies to fundamentally rethink their go-to-market processes and pricing calculations.

The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into potential violations of EU sanctions against Russia in connection with the now-closed 'Russia House' cultural center in Berlin. Authorities are examining whether tenants or occupants of the facility may have breached the Foreign Trade and Payments Act through sanctions-related offenses.

Germany's financial regulator Bafin has published new risk management requirements specifically designed for small and medium-sized investment firms, marking a significant shift from the previous practice of applying credit institution rules. The WpI-MaRisk framework, effective January 2027, provides tailored supervisory expectations that better align with the unique characteristics and business models of investment firms. Investment firms now face the critical task of conducting gap analyses and restructur

The European Commission has proposed replacing the EU's three core procurement directives with a single, directly applicable Regulation that would fundamentally reshape how companies compete for public contracts across Member States. The reform introduces mandatory quality criteria thresholds, embeds ESG considerations as evaluation factors, and establishes new security and European-preference provisions that could restrict participation based on ownership, supply chain exposure, and strategic dependencies.

The EU Pharma Package introduces significant reforms to regulatory data and market protection periods for medicinal products, fundamentally altering the current "8+2(+1)" protection formula.

Die EU-Verpackungsverordnung (PPWR) entfaltet seit August 2026 unmittelbare Rechtswirkungen in allen EU-Mitgliedstaaten. Die Europäische Kommission hat mit ihrer zweiten FAQ-Auflage wichtige Klarstellungen zur Rollenzuordnung, Erzeugerverantwortung bei Eigenmarken und Transportverpackungen sowie zum behördlichen Vollzug geliefert. Unternehmen müssen ihre Position in der Wertschöpfungskette präzise bestimmen und die damit verbundenen Compliance-Pflichten erfüllen.

Sustainability criteria have evolved from voluntary commitments to critical factors in corporate financing. Companies seeking refinancing during crisis must now not only address operational and financial challenges but also credibly demonstrate ESG transformation, navigating potential deal-breakers, restructuring concept requirements, and greenwashing liability risks.

Der Europäische Gerichtshof hat entschieden, dass Sollzinssätze bei Verbraucherkrediten nur auf den tatsächlich bereitgestellten Kreditbetrag angewendet werden dürfen – nicht auf mitfinanzierte Kreditkosten wie Versicherungsprämien oder Gebühren. Diese Klarstellung hat weitreichende Folgen für Kreditgeber in der gesamten EU, die ihre Produktgestaltung, Preislogik und Kundenunterlagen entsprechend anpassen müssen. Besonders betroffen sind Banken und Anbieter von

The Council of the European Union has adopted its 20th and 21st sanctions packages against Russia, marking a fundamental shift in EU sanctions policy. Rather than simply expanding lists of designated persons, these measures systematically target the financial infrastructure—payment channels, banking relationships, crypto-asset ecosystems, correspondent banking, trade finance, and maritime logistics—that enables Russia's war economy.