Europe Archives - Compliance Week

EU simplifies chemicals regulations, but legal and reputational pressures around hazardous chemicals are rising

by Ruth Prickett May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

The EU Parliament has agreed to simplify European chemicals regulations to boost
competitiveness, but compliance teams should note that the MEPs voted to retain
some rules to protect consumers and the environment.

Sanctions

EU’s 20th Russian Sanctions Package extends compliance to third parties and anti-circumvention measures

by Ruth Prickett May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

The EU has intensified its focus on sanctions circumvention and the supply of Russian oil in a clear signal that the energy crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will not weaken its efforts to sever Russian cashflows.

Artificial Intelligence

Top tips to comply with EU AI Act’s transparency obligation

by Neil Hodge May 15, 2026May 15, 2026

The EU’s recent decision to release an updated code of practice to help companies better understand the AI Act’s transparency requirements demonstrates the pitfalls that organizations face when trying to comply with rules that many expect to be strictly enforced.

Regulatory Policy

EU publishes major overhaul of M&A guidelines to encourage mega-mergers

by Ruth Prickett May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

The EU has published guidelines for the biggest overhaul of rules governing mergers since 2004. However, commentators are warning that loosening the M&A code may create new risks and still not deliver the “mega companies” that proponents seek. And EU officials appear divided. Where does this leave compliance teams?

Data Privacy

Companies should brace for scrutiny, fines after EDPB’s latest GDPR investigation

by Neil Hodge May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

The European Data Protection Board has made checking organizations’ compliance with the GDPR’s transparency requirements a key area of focus for the coming year under its Coordinated Enforcement Framework.

AML

Most FS firms expect to miss EU AML deadline amid data and due diligence challenges

by Ruth Prickett May 5, 2026May 15, 2026

Two-thirds of financial services firms will not be able to meet the requirements of the EU anti-money laundering package when it comes into force in July 2027.

Artificial Intelligence

New code for AI Act compliance will be ‘de facto’ standard, say experts

by Neil Hodge April 30, 2026May 7, 2026

The European Union has issued updated guidance to help companies better understand—as well as comply with—the transparency requirements that underpin the bloc’s groundbreaking legislation aimed at ensuring safe AI use.

Finance

Lloyds IT glitch: Key lessons for compliance

by Neil Hodge April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

IT outages seem to be increasingly prevalent in the financial services sector, despite a firmer focus on technical resilience by regulators both in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and the European Union (EU). A recent tech glitch that hit a major U.K. bank should compel compliance teams in the sector to review their IT security and incident reporting at the very least, say experts.

Regulatory Enforcement

Chocolate bars: Investigations into Ferrero are a lesson for compliance on EU antitrust commitments

by Ruth Prickett April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

Chocolate companies are in the sights of EU antitrust regulators. Ferrero, maker of Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, and Nutella, has revealed that it was the target of “dawn raids” by the European Commission in two EU member states.

Regulatory Policy

U.K. banking regulator focuses on accountability, governance and data while relaxing reporting cycles

by Ruth Prickett April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

The U.K. banking regulator is shifting its focus to rigorously monitoring outcomes, rather than adding rules, and this is driving investment in oversight functions.

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