Our extensive knowledge at your fingertips

Latest editions

Search

The EU Parliament approves the AI Act that establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact

It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field…

 

 

New Moody’s data sheds light on the rise in modern slavery and money laundering across Europe

Moody’s data shows that incidents of modern slavery increased by nearly 17% from 2022 to 2023 – rising from 18,335 to 21,626. This upward trend is a strong increase compared to the figure of 10,277 in 2018. The analysis identified human trafficking as the predominant underlying crime in money…

ECB announces establishment of seven new workstreams to develop the digital euro rulebook and calls for expert assistance

The workstreams will report to the RDG (representing consumers, retailers, and intermediaries) in order to assist it in drafting various sections of the digital euro rulebook. The rulebook sets out the framework for a new digital form of the euro which complements cash and which consumers and businesses can use throughout the euro area…

EU Commission recommends actions to combat counterfeiting and better protect intellectual property rights

The Recommendation, also known as the EU toolbox against counterfeiting, aims to foster collaboration between rights holders, service providers, and law enforcement, while encouraging best practices and the use of modern tools and technologies.

The European Council and European Parliament strike a deal on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) with the aim to protect the environment and human rights

Under the CS3D, businesses are required to conduct a thorough due diligence process to identify, mitigate, prevent and account for negative impacts on human rights and the environment, or face potential sanctions or civil liability…

The EU Council and EU Parliament strike a deal on the regulation prohibiting in the EU market products made with forced labour

The provisional agreement reached between the two co-legislators supports the main objective of the proposal to prohibit the placing and making available on the EU market, or the export from the EU market, of any product made using forced labour…

The European Commission adds Kenya and Namibia to the list in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 of high-risk third countries under 4MLD

The Commission considers that Kenya and Namibia have strategic deficiencies in their respective AML/CFT regimes. The Commission has also taken into account the fact that these countries were identified in the FATF list of ‘Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring’ in February 2024.

Europol releases podcast: ‘Targeting Dark Finances’ highlighting how economic and financial crime is becoming more complex

Covers a case led by the French Gendarmerie with the active support of Europol, who arrested in Burgundy a high-profile fugitive from Ukraine involved in a complex case of international fraud that resulted in the seizure of a castle, a vintage Rolls Royce Phantom and 3 works of art by Salvador Dali.

MONEYVAL publishes 2nd enhanced follow-up report and technical compliance re-rating on the Slovak Republic

Concludes that the Slovak Republic has taken positive steps towards improving its anti-money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime, in particular concerning compliance with the Financial Action Task Force’s Recommendation 26 on the regulation and supervision of financial institutions.

EBA consults Guidelines on redemption plans under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation

Covers guidelines for the plans to orderly redeem asset-referenced or e-money tokens in the event that the issuer fails to fulfil its obligations under the Markets in Crypto assets Regulation (MiCAR)

Europol publishes EU Drug Markets Analysis 2024 report examining the links between between illicit drugs trade and other crime areas in the EU

The report looks at the links between the illicit drugs trade and other crime areas in the EU, such as the trafficking in firearms, as drug trafficking networks require a range of tools and capacities to facilitate their activities. The EMCDDA and Europol play a central role, supporting Member States and cooperating with third countries to strengthen Europe’s preparedness and response to illicit drug flows.

European Parliament releases report on legal options that enable the use of Russian assets to reconstruct Ukraine

The European Parliament has published a study that evaluates options available under international law to enable the confiscation of Russian state assets to support the reconstruction of Ukraine. The report focuses on the $300 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets held in various jurisdictions…