Category: Regulation & compliance
Spanner in the works? – EU Right to Repair Directive Imposes Obligations To Drive Circular Economy
On 30 July 2024, the Right to Repair (R2R) Directive will become law following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union on 10 July 2024.
Calif. Ruling Heightens Medical Product Maker Liability
On June 20, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Himes v. Somatics LLC. This 7-0 ruling has vast implications for manufacturers of medical products, namely manufacturers of prescription drugs and medical devices that reach patients through a learned intermediary, as well as for medical providers and the healthcare industry as a whole.
Online Safety Act Update: Ofcom’s Consultation on Measures to Protect Children From Online Harms Closing 17 July 2024
The UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) imposes extensive obligations on certain types of online service providers to protect users from illegal and harmful content. A key focus of the OSA is the protection of children online, and special obligations are conferred on service providers whose platforms are “likely to be accessed by children”.
Claire Temple, James Maton , Travis LeBlanc , Leo Spicer- Phelps , Morgan McCormack and Mo Swart
OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct: Key Considerations for Multinational Enterprises
The latest updates to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct in June 2023 thrust supply chain diligence into the spotlight.
OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct: Key Considerations for Multinational Enterprises
The latest updates to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct in June 2023 thrust supply chain diligence into the spotlight.
Online Safety Act Update
The UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), which you can read more about in this November 2023 client alert, imposes extensive new obligations on certain types of online service providers. In some cases, the OSA will apply to online marketplaces and certain ancillary services – for example, where user-to-user (U2U) or search services are offered – and there are potential implications in respect of products that may be sold to consumers as a result.
Claire Temple, Carol Holley , Carolina Ljungwaldh and Mo Swart
PFAS Regulation: EPA Designates Two PFAS as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA
On April 19, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that designates two PFAS chemicals – PFOA and PFOS – as ‘hazardous substances’ subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, also known as Superfund). The rule will take effect under CERCLA, giving the EPA increased authority to investigate and respond to PFAS contamination and seek recovery of costs associated with cleanup efforts. The EPA sees the new rule as a significant step in its regulation of PFAS.
AI Regulation – Key Developments for Products Stakeholders
This blog provides a summary of three recent developments in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in Europe, which will affect all stakeholders who incorporate AI technologies into hardware or software products.
EU Reaches Provisional Agreement on Banning Products Made With Forced Labour
The EU’s ban on products made with forced labour regulation (FLR) will apply to products which in whole or in part benefited from forced labour. Supplementing the existing EU rules combatting human trafficking, the FLR now will be subject to formal approval and is likely to apply across all EU member states from mid-2027.
EU Right to Repair Laws One Step Closer: Provisional Agreement Reached
Fergal Duggan , Tracey Bischofberger and Emerald Hockley
Provisional agreement on the text of the proposed Right to Repair Directive was reached by European Union institutions on 1 February 2024. Read on for an overview of what this means for producers, retailers, repairers and other actors in the supply chain, alongside a summary of next steps.