European companies

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This subtopic contains the following guidance on EU level rules relating to European companies:

  1. •

    Practice Note: European companies provides an introduction to the European company, Societas Europaea, or 'SE'. It covers how they are incorporated and governed, their head office, their capital

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Latest EU Law News

Court of Justice on EU designs: on fashion trends and originality (Deity Shoes v Mundorama)

EU Law analysis: On 18 December 2025, the Court of Justice delivered its judgment in this case, clarifying several fundamental aspects of EU design law under Regulation (EC) 6/2002. The decision provides important guidance on the requirements for design protection and the impact of fashion trends on the designer’s freedom. Written by Mareike Hunfeld, counsel at Hogan Lovells International LLP, Hamburg.

As EU DSA enforcement ramps up, 2026 will be a crucial year

MLex: After two years of investigation, the European Commission has finally issued its first fine under Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, the EU Digital Services Act (EU DSA) against X, ending a long period of anticipation. The decision signals that enforcement is likely to accelerate, but that’s not the only reason experts believe 2026 will be a pivotal year for the EU’s landmark law.

ECHA launches online tool for Drinking Water Directive notifications of intention

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a new online tool via the ECHA Industry Portal to allow companies to notify their intention to update the EU Positive Lists of substances approved for use in materials that come into contact with drinking water. The tool enables companies to indicate substances they wish to keep, add to or remove from the European Positive Lists. ECHA has published a manual on preparing Drinking Water Directive notifications of intention, alongside a guidance document and a video tutorial to assist notifiers in preparing their notifications. Following submission of a notification of intention, notifiers have 12 months to submit their application, with the application window opening in January 2027.

Compulsory licensing regulation for crisis management to come into force in EU on 19 January 2026

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs has announced that the regulation on compulsory licensing for crisis management, amending Regulation (EC) No 816/2006, will come into force on 19 January 2026 following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation establishes an EU-wide framework for granting compulsory licences in cross-border crisis or emergency situations, enabling the Commission to issue EU-wide compulsory licences for protected inventions related to crisis-relevant products once a crisis has been declared under relevant EU crisis instruments. Compulsory licensing under the regulation is intended as a measure of last resort, subject to strict conditions, including limits on the scope and duration of licences and obligations to provide fair and adequate remuneration to rights holders in line with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

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