On June 12, 2026, the European Commission (“Commission”) launched its public consultation on guidelines (“Guidelines”) that will significantly shape the implementation of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD;” more details about the CSDDD available here). The consultation, presented in the form of a detailed questionnaire, is open
Continue Reading European Commission Seeks Public Input on CSDDD Guidelines: What to Watch
European Commission Publishes “ESRS 2.0” for Public Consultation: Draft Closely Follows EFRAG’s Technical Advice with Additional Simplifications for Companies
The European Commission (“Commission”) has launched a four-week feedback period — open until June 3, 2026 — on a draft delegated act to revise the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (“ESRS 2.0”). Ultimately, EU companies in scope of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) will have to draft their annual sustainability statements in accordance with the ESRS 2.0. Non-EU ultimate parent companies may also use the ESRS 2.0 to publish one globally consolidated CSRD sustainability statement.
Continue Reading European Commission Publishes “ESRS 2.0” for Public Consultation: Draft Closely Follows EFRAG’s Technical Advice with Additional Simplifications for CompaniesEU CSDDD/CSRD Omnibus Published in Official Journal: Transposition, Delegated Acts, and Guidelines Are Next
On February 26, 2026, the European Union published Directive (EU) 2026/470 on the simplification of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) in its Official Journal, clearing the final step in the Omnibus I legislative process.
This blog post: (i) summarizes the substance
Continue Reading EU CSDDD/CSRD Omnibus Published in Official Journal: Transposition, Delegated Acts, and Guidelines Are NextWhat to Watch in 2026: Key Developments in EMEA Consumer Protection
Consumer protection law across EMEA continues to evolve rapidly in response to digitalization, emerging technologies (particularly AI) and the continued expansion of online commerce. As we move into 2026, regulators are preparing significant reforms that will reshape business obligations and strengthen consumer‑protection enforcement. Below is an overview of the most important developments to watch this year.
Continue Reading What to Watch in 2026: Key Developments in EMEA Consumer ProtectionThe EU Automotive Package: Increased Compliance Flexibility, but Growing “Made in the EU” Conditionality
On 16 December 2025, the European Commission presented the Automotive Package (the “Package”), a set of interlinked legislative and policy initiatives aimed at supporting the European automotive sector’s transition to clean mobility. The Package has four core components: (i) a proposal to revise the CO₂ emission performance standards for cars and vans, (ii) the so-called “Battery Booster Strategy”, (iii) a proposal on greening corporate vehicle fleets, and (iv) a proposal for an “Automotive Omnibus” regulation that would amend several pieces of automotive legislation to simplify regulations for vehicle manufacturers. Together, these initiatives signal a material recalibration of the EU’s approach to vehicle decarbonization.
Continue Reading The EU Automotive Package: Increased Compliance Flexibility, but Growing “Made in the EU” ConditionalityEuropean Commission Announces 2030 Consumer Policy Strategy
On November 19, 2025, the European Commission unveiled its 2030 Consumer Agenda, setting out priorities for EU consumer policy over the next five years. Below is an overview of the six key measures most relevant to industry.
Continue Reading European Commission Announces 2030 Consumer Policy StrategyHelp Shape the Future of EU Product Compliance: Participate in the Public Consultations
On November 12, 2025, the European Commission launched two public consultations that could significantly reshape EU product compliance rules. To participate, stakeholders – including businesses, consumer groups, and industry associations – are invited to complete the Commission’s online questionnaires, available until February 4, 2026.
Continue Reading Help Shape the Future of EU Product Compliance: Participate in the Public ConsultationsSpain Proposes Strict Sustainability Requirements for Data Centers
The Spanish Ministry for Ecologic Transition and Demographic Challenge (“MITECO”) has launched a public consultation on a Draft Royal Decree (“Draft Royal Decree”) that would impose strict energy efficiency and sustainability requirements on data centers in Spain. The proposed requirements of the Draft Royal Decree are broader and stricter than the requirements on data centers set out in the EU’s Directive (EU) 2023/1791 (the “Energy Efficiency Directive” or “EED”) that the Draft Royal Decree aims to transpose. Among other things, the Draft Royal Decree imposes requirements to report on the socio-economic impact of data centers; and to comply with the European Code of Conduct on Data Centre Energy Efficiency (“EU CoC”), and with industry best practices. The Draft Royal Decree is subject to an ongoing public consultation and interested parties may submit their comments until September 15, 2025.
In this blog post we outline the requirements of the Draft Royal Decree that are stricter than those of the EED.
Continue Reading Spain Proposes Strict Sustainability Requirements for Data CentersWhen is a Safety Component of Radio Equipment a High-Risk AI System Under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act?
There is an ongoing debate in Brussels about the circumstances under which AI-based safety components integrated into radio equipment are subject to the requirements for high-risk AI systems of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act 2024/1689 (the “AI Act”). The debate is particularly relevant because, if AI-based safety components are considered high-risk under the AI Act, they will be subject to a comprehensive set of regulatory requirements under the AI Act as of August 2, 2027. These requirements include risk management, data quality measures, transparency towards users, human oversight, as well as obligations relating to accuracy, robustness, and cybersecurity.
The discussion affects devices like smartphones with AI-driven emergency call features, smart home safety systems, smart home appliances and drones using AI for obstacle avoidance and emergency landing. In effect, many, if not all, of the AI-based safety components of internet-connected radio equipment could be subject to the AI Act’s requirements for high-risk AI systems.
Below we briefly outline the framework of the current debate.
Continue Reading When is a Safety Component of Radio Equipment a High-Risk AI System Under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act?The Covington European Life Sciences Symposium 2025
On 23 January 2025, we hosted the 2025 edition of the Covington European Life Sciences Symposium. The Symposium brought together colleagues from London, Brussels, Frankfurt and Dublin with our industry connections to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the European life sciences sector.
Throughout the day our speakers shared their perspectives on a range of legal, regulatory, and business trends, including the evolving regulatory frameworks in the EU and UK; information exchange in ongoing collaboration; investigations and whistleblowing; key ESG topics, and the complexity of options to acquire in pharma deals.
We have set out some of the discussion from the sessions below.
European Life Sciences – The Changing Landscape for Pharma and Biotech
Grant Castle, Head of Covington’s European Life Sciences Regulatory Practice, Peter Bogaert, Marie Doyle-Rossie and Anna Wawrzyniak kicked off with a discussion about the Changing Landscape for Pharma and Biotech.
The UK and EU both aim to deliver access to innovative and transformative medicines and foster international competitiveness in the life sciences industry. Despite the practical challenges faced by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in recent years, it has emerged as an ambitious regulator and is establishing innovative regulatory frameworks, including an international reliance scheme (see our update here), point of care manufacturing regulations, and the relaunch of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP).
The EU is also pursuing a wave of legislative reform, including wide ranging revisions to the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation, the EU’s supplementary protection certificates (SPC) rules, and proposals for a compulsory licensing scheme.
There can sometimes be a tension between the UK’s and EU’s aims and the practical impacts of regulatory reform, especially in the early stages of implementation.
Continue Reading The Covington European Life Sciences Symposium 2025