BLOMSTEIN

The EU’s 18th Sanctions Package Against Russia and Belarus - Key Measures and Recent Case Law

On 18 July 2025, the EU adopted its 18th sanctions package against Russia and Belarus, expanding trade, energy, and financial restrictions. New measures target oil imports, software, and banking, while strengthening anti-circumvention tools and extending individual listings.

Knock, Knock - When Authorities Come Knocking: Do’s and Don’ts During Investigations

External investigations can strike without warning, risking legal and reputational damage. This guide outlines how to respond: verify warrants, involve legal counsel, avoid evidence tampering, and follow clear protocols. Advance preparation and calm coordination are essential.

EU-Mercosur Agreement on Sustainability

This edition highlights the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter of the Agreement, which aims to integrate sustainable development into the Parties’ trade and investment relationship.

Einheitlicher, sicherer, grüner? Wie der EU Space Act Aktivitäten im All regulieren will

Der EU Space Act vereinheitlicht Raumfahrtvorgaben in der EU: Neue Pflichten zu Sicherheit, Cyberschutz, Nachhaltigkeit und Lizenzierung. Nationale Behörden setzen um, die EU-Kommission und EUSPA koordinieren. Verstöße sollen wirksam und verhältnismäßig sanktioniert werden.

BLOMSTEIN Advised Xerox on its Acquisition of Lexmark

BLOMSTEIN assisted Xerox Holdings Corporation on German foreign direct investment control aspects relating its acquisition of Lexmark International, Inc. The deal valued at USD 1.5 billion was completed on July 1.

EU-Mercosur Agreement on Public Procurement

This briefing is the fourth in a series on the EU-Mercosur agreement, where BLOMSTEIN addresses key provisions with respect to Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Public Procurement, Competition and Sustainability, and outlines implications and opportunities for businesses.

Ready, RED, Go? Anforderungen der Radio Equipment Directive für Geräte mit Internetverbindung

Ab 1. August 2025 gelten für viele elektronische Geräte neue Cybersicherheitsanforderungen nach der Radio Equipment Directive (RL 2014/53/EU). Viele Details, besonders zum Anwendungsbereich und zur Definition „internetverbundener Funkanlagen“, sind noch unklar.

EU-Mercosur Agreement on Trade in Services Balancing market access and the right to regulate

This briefing is the third in a series on the EU-Mercosur agreement, where BLOMSTEIN addresses key provisions with respect to Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Public Procurement, Competition and Sustainability, and outlines implications and opportunities for businesses.

EU - Mercosur Agreement on Trade in Goods Securing long-term market access

This briefing is the second in a series on the EU-Mercosur agreement, where BLOMSTEIN addresses its key provisions with respect to Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Public Procurement, Competition and Sustainability, and outline implications and opportunities for businesses.

BLOMSTEIN Supports Summit Partners on Sale of ELATEC Shares

€ 330 Million Deal in the Security Tech Sector

BLOMSTEIN Advised IDI on Investment in Intersoft Electronics Group

Transaction Advisory in the Aerospace and Defence Sector

EU trade agreement with Mercosur Advancing trade liberalisation amid rising protectionism

After more than two decades of negotiations, the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement has taken a significant step closer to becoming a reality. The partnership agreement will only come into force after completion by each Party of its internal approval procedures (ratification process).

First fines imposed under the DMA

Today, the EC announced its first fines under the DMA: Apple has been fined €500 million for failing to comply with anti-steering obligations, while Meta faces a €200 million fine for not providing consumers with a choice of a service that uses fewer personal data.

KI in der Exportkontrolle und im Zollrecht - Anwendungsmöglichkeiten

In der unternehmensinterne Compliance wird Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) zunehmend eingesetzt. Die rechtlichen Herausforderungen, die dabei berücksichtigt werden müssen, haben wir bereits in unserem Briefing „KI in internen Untersuchungen“ aufgezeigt.

In the Crosshairs Regulatory Requirements for the Resilience of Critical Infrastructure

Germany is increasingly the target of low-threshold (hybrid) attacks. This is reason enough to examine to what extent businesses in Germany are currently and will in the future be held responsible for protecting themselves against such at-tacks and responding appropriately.

Chamber of Architects Procurement Monitoring Completed, the Deficits Remain

At the Competition and Public Procurement Dialogue hosted by the Berlin Chamber of Architects, the final report of the joint procurement monitoring project was presented. BLOMSTEIN has been working alongside the Berlin Chamber of Architects for many years.

Anti-Coercion Instrument The “bazooka” of the European Union to shield EU industry

In response to the U.S.’ action, EU officials are exploring diplomatic negotiations to address these tariffs. Additionally, the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument provides a robust mechanism to counteract such economic pressures. This briefing examines the ACI’s framework, procedures, and potential.

KI in internen Untersuchungen

Auf grundlegende technologische Innovationen folgen oft spezialisierte Anwendungen – so seit einigen Jahren auch im Bereich der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI). KI gewinnt auch für interne Untersuchungen zunehmend an Bedeutung.

BLOMSTEIN promotes two partners and three counsel

We continue to grow and strengthen our team with outstanding talent. As of July 1, 2025, Christopher Wolters and Leonard Freiherr von Rummel will become partners; Ramona Ader, Laura Louca and Philipp Trube will join the counsel ranks.

CBAM – What’s new? Proposal for the reform of the CBAM Regulation

As part of the Omnibus package, the EU Commission suggested simplifications and improvements to the CBAM Regulation. The proposal aims to simplify and enhance the cost-efficiency of the CBAM Regulation while ensuring that its environmental objectives and core design principles re-main intact.

Comp³ - Competition in the Competitiveness Compass

Two months after the European Commission published its Competitiveness Compass, we take a deeper look into its strategic vision to enhance the EU’s economic resilience and global competitiveness (following up on our first overview), namely the competition law aspects.

REACHing Out - The REACH Regulation and New Developments for Chemicals at a Glance

The increased political focus on climate and environmental protection has a particular impact on trade with chemicals. In an amendment to the REACH Regulation at the end of 2024, the European Commission banned the use of certain chemicals due to the risk of contamination.

A Changing Battlefield - Reforming Competition Law to Boost European Defence?

The European defence industry is undergoing profound strategic transformation. Just last week, the Commission has published its White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030, attesting “changes of a magnitude not seen since 1945” and boldly stating: “History will not forgive us for inaction.”

Out of the attic - Germany's crisis resilience put to test: emergency laws

In view of the increasingly acute threat situation, driven in particular by growing doubts about the US' loyalty to NATO and the resulting restriction of the conventional and nuclear deterrence, the question arises: How well prepared is Germany for a further escalation of conflicts?

DMA: New Season, New Plot Twists? New Commission Decisions for Apple and Alphabet under the DMA

After the Oscar-worthy performance in its opening act, the DMA series is back with a brand-new season, packed with twists, turns, and regulatory cliffhangers.

EU – US Trade War - 8 tips for business strategies

In times of escalating trade wars, businesses face significant challenges due to increased tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties. To navigate these complexities, we have put together 8 strategies business can apply while highlighting potential risks.

US Tariffs Spark EU Countermeasures - What Businesses Need to Know

Already the first Trump administration has restricted international trade by imposing tariffs of up to 25% on imports of steel and aluminium from the European Union (EU), provoking countermeasures by the EU.

Forced Labour Ban - A new EU Regulation prohibits products made with forced labour

On 27 November 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/3015 (Forced Labour Regulation) was published, aimed at eradicating products made with forced labour from the EU market. The Regulation represents a significant step in the EU's commitment to upholding human rights and promoting ethical supply chains.

BLOMSTEIN Supports DiliTrust in Acquiring PACTA - Merger in the Legal Tech Sector

BLOMSTEIN, together with lindenpartners, supported DiliTrust, a leading CLM pro-vider in Europe, on its acquisition of the legal tech startup PACTA. The BLOMSTEIN team, led by Roland Stein and Anna Huttenlauch, advised on investment control and merger control aspects of this transaction.

Medical Devices and Foreign Subsidies - New tools against heavily subsidised imports

With trade war between China and the US on the doorsteps, implications for EU companies will be manyfold. One possible consequence could be heavily subsidised Chinese products flooding the EU market. Particularly for medical devices, there is an increased probability that this might happen.