The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control has extended all General Authorizations (GAs) that would have expired on March 31, 2025, until March 31, 2026. Some of the extended GAs were amended effective April 1, 2025. We present the changes below.

The US government under Donald Trump has begun implementing its protectionist economic policies and has introduced tariffs on goods from the EU as well as from other countries such as Canada and Mexico. During his election campaign, Trump had already promised that a second term would focus on protecting the American economy and addressing a US trade deficit, among other things, through tariffs.

On the third anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the EU adopted its 16th sanctions package against Russia on February 24, 2025. We present the key additions.

On February 26, 2025, the European Commission presented two omnibus packages containing significant changes to the CSDDD, CSRD, and EU Taxonomy Regulation. Key points include relief for businesses, a harmonized scope for companies with more than 1,000 employees, and new due diligence obligations under the CSDDD.

As part of the “Omnibus Package I,” the European Commission is proposing changes to the carbon border adjustment mechanism, responding to ongoing criticism from businesses regarding the complex regulations. At the same time, importers must continue preparing for full implementation in 2026. This article outlines the planned changes and shows what still needs to be done in 2025.

On February 5, 2025, the European Commission presented its toolbox for secure and sustainable e-commerce. The measures it contains are not new, but largely reiterate the Commission's proposals for reforming the Union Customs Code, which it presented in May 2023. What is new, however, is that the Commission wants to significantly accelerate the handling of current e-commerce challenges. Among other things, it proposes bringing forward the customs reform to 2026.

On 30 January 2025, the European Commission presented its report on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (Dual-Use Regulation) for the reporting period 2022–2023.

The implementation of Directives (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS-2 Directive) and (EU) 2022/2557 (CER Directive) has failed in Germany for the time being. As has now become known, the previous coalition partners were unable to agree on transposing the directives into German law after the government's collapse. Nevertheless, companies should assess whether they are likely to be affected by the implementing legislation and prepare to implement the associated obligations.

On 12 December 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 on the prohibition of products manufactured using forced labor on the Union market (“FLR”) entered into force. The prohibition will apply from 14 December 2027 to products that are placed on the market in the EU, made available to the public, or exported from the EU. The FLR follows, among other things, the US “The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (“UFLPA”)”, which also includes import bans on products made using forced labor.