News

Oct 7, 2025

The snapback mechanism against Iran – reintroduction of EU sanctions

On the night of 28 September 2025, the deadline for the so-called “snapback mechanism”, initiated by Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, expired. As a result, the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on Iran – which had been suspended since January 2016 – are once again in force. The possibility of reimposing sanctions was legally established under international law as part of the Vienna Agreement on Iran’s nuclear program (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPoA) in 2015. The EU responded immediately and implemented the UN sanctions into directly applicable EU law through Regulation (EU) 2025/1975 and Implementing Regulations (EU) 2025/1980 and 2025/1982.

Sep 30, 2025

Extension of the "50% Rule" to US (Re-)Export Controls

On September 29, 2025, the US Bureau of Industry and Security’s new interim final rule came into force, expanding end-user controls to cover affiliates of certain listed entities.

Sep 24, 2025

Possible Postponement of EUDR

EU Commissioner Jessica Roswall, Directorate-General for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, wrote a letter to the European Parliament today declaring the Commission's intention to postpone the application of the European Deforestation Regulation (“EUDR”) by one year. The same was confirmed by Alois Rainer, the German Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity. The Regulation, which entered into force on 29 July 2023, was originally scheduled to apply from 30 December 2024. Following a previous deferral, the application date had already been moved to 30 December 2025.

Sep 2, 2025

Iran embargo: Invocation of the snapback mechanism

On 28 August 2025, Germany, France and the United Kingdom triggered the snapback mechanism provided for in Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015). This could lead to the reinstatement of economic sanctions against Iran imposed by the UN Security Council. The sanctions had been suspended in 2015 in return for Iran's commitment to dismantle its nuclear programme under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). Due to Iran's ongoing violations of its JCPoA commitments and the failure of negotiations on a possible successor agreement, the sanctions could now be reinstated unless an agreement is reached within 30 days.

Aug 22, 2025

Consultations for Environmental Omnibus

On 22 July 2025, the European Commission (EC) launched a Call for Evidence in preparation of its forthcoming Environmental Omnibus Proposal. The proposal aims to simplify and streamline administrative requirements related to the environment especially in the areas of waste, products, and industrial emissions, and reduce the administrative burden placed on companies, without affecting the policy objectives pursued by the legislation. We give an overview of this Omnibus and how stakeholkders can participate.

Aug 6, 2025

EU Commission presents comprehensive proposal to revise the Tobacco Tax Directive

On July 16, 2025, the European Commission presented a comprehensive proposal for a revision of Directive 2011/64/EU (Tobacco Tax Directive). The revision of the Tobacco Tax Directive aims to fundamentally modernize the taxation of tobacco and related products.

News

The snapback mechanism against Iran – reintroduction of EU sanctions

Extension of the "50% Rule" to US (Re-)Export Controls

Possible Postponement of EUDR

Iran embargo: Invocation of the snapback mechanism

Consultations for Environmental Omnibus

EU Commission presents comprehensive proposal to revise the Tobacco Tax Directive

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