Weekly highlights

Weekly highlights

Each week, we provide a round up of key developments in EU law and international trade from an EU perspective.

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Latest EU Law News

WTO arbitrators issue award in IP dispute between EU and China

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has circulated the arbitration award in case DS611, China — Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, concluding appeal proceedings initiated by the EU under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU). The dispute concerns China’s use of anti-suit injunctions (ASIs) in litigation involving standard-essential patents (SEPs), and an alleged unwritten ASI policy. The arbitration was conducted under the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), following the suspension of panel proceedings in April 2025. The arbitrators reviewed the panel’s findings and considered whether China’s measures were consistent with obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), including Articles 1.1, 28.1, 28.2, 41.1, 44.1, 63.1 and 63.3.

EU banking authority regulations herald new AML era

Law360, Expert analysis: A new era in EU anti-money laundering (AML) regulation is taking shape as the European Banking Authority (EBA) advances its draft regulatory technical standards (RTS), under the AML package that will enter into force on 10 July 2027. Amilcare Sada, partner, Matteo Fanton, senior associate and Matteo Ciampini, trainee, at Allen Overy Shearman Sterling provide a focused analysis of the proposed RTS, highlighting the most relevant commentary and opinions provided as part of the EBA consultation, outlining key points and the potential impact for stakeholders.

Commission proposes sixth revision of CMRD with new chemical exposure limits

The European Commission has proposed the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive (CMRD) to strengthen worker protection against hazardous chemicals. This proposal establishes new workplace exposure limits for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 1,4-dioxane, with transitional limits allowing six years for adaptation. Additionally, welding fumes—containing carcinogenic substances such as chromium, nickel, and cadmium—have been included under the directive’s scope to clarify legal guidelines and enforce enhanced protective measures. Informed by the latest scientific evidence and consultations with the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work, these measures are anticipated to prevent approximately 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 additional illnesses, while saving up to €1.16bn in healthcare costs over the next 40 years. The proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council, after which Member States will have two years to incorporate the directive into national law.

CRR: Commission launches consultation on prudential treatment of equity exposures

The European Commission has launched a targeted consultation on draft guidance concerning the prudential treatment of equity exposures incurred by banks under legislative programmes in the Capital Requirements Regulation (Regulation (EU) 575/2013) (CRR). The draft Communication sets out how banks may apply more favourable capital treatment to equity investments made under qualifying public programmes and clarifies the conditions under which such exposures would be eligible, including the presence of significant public subsidies or guarantees, and oversight by public authorities. The consultation forms part of the EU’s broader strategy to mobilise private funding for strategic sectors and ensure consistent application of CRR rules across the single market. Responses are sought by 8 September 2025.