Member News

GOP | Mandatory green pass at private sector workplaces – operational tips

As it is known, starting from October 15 until December 31, 2021 (the deadline set for the end of the state of emergency), the obligation to possess – and to show on request – the “green pass” 1 has been extended to all workers, including those of the private sector, in order to allow their access to workplaces. With regard to this matter, Law Decree no. 127/2021 - published in the Official Gazzette - states that this obligation indistinctly applies...

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Chapter News

ESMA consults on proposals for a review of the MiFID II best execution reporting regime

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s securities markets regulator, today launches a consultation on proposals for improvements to the MiFID II framework on best execution reports. These proposals aim at ensuring effective and consistent regulation and supervision and enhancing investor protection. ESMA’s proposals include technical changes to:  the reporting obligations for execution venues: aimed at simplifying the reporting requirements by reducing the granularity and volume of data to be reported; and moving to a set of seven indicators aimed...

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Chapter News

Energy Transition: EU Commission announces three Energy Compacts at UN High-Level Dialogue in New York

At the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy this week in New York, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans and Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson presented three Energy Compacts, in partnership with the International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency. In their roles as Energy Access Champion and Just Transition Champion in this UN process respectively, the Executive Vice-President and the Commissioner highlighted the EU's willingness to lead the global efforts to reach universal energy access by 2030 and...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight | European Commission proposes common charger

In a legislative proposal more than a decade in waiting, the European Commission on Thursday unveiled plans to introduce a single charger for all for smartphones, tablets, and other devices in two years. The proposal, which comes as part of a legislative revision of the Radio Equipment Directive, foresees the introduction of USB-C as the new EU plug standard for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles, according to the European Commission. The new rules would enter into...

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Member News

Thompson Hine | Treasury Department Issues Updated Advisory on Ransomware Payments

Ransomware attacks have been increasing, forcing many businesses to choose between paying a ransom and losing access to their confidential and proprietary data or information networks and systems. On September 21, the Department of the Treasury issued an updated advisory that highlights potential sanctions risks for companies that directly make or otherwise facilitate ransomware payments and offers “proactive steps” companies can take to mitigate such risks. The advisory updates guidance offered in October 2020, which highlighted that anti-money laundering and economic...

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Member News

Faegre Drinker | COVID-19 Travel to the United States: International Travel Restrictions May Be Eased from November 2021

On September 20, 2021 the international press began to report that the U.S. government plans to ease travel restrictions for fully vaccinated visitors flying internationally into the United States beginning in November 2021. However, to date, the official U.S. government policy has not been released. What were the previous entry restrictions? Since March 2020, travellers who have been in the European Schengen countries or the United Kingdom (as well as some other countries specified, including India, China and South Africa) within...

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Chapter News

ECB Speech | Integrating the climate and environmental challenge into the missions of central banks and supervisors

Speech by Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the 8th Conference on the Banking Union, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main | Many thanks for your kind introduction and for having me here today at this 8th Conference on the Banking Union. I am especially happy to be here, for this is the first time since I joined the European Central Bank last December that I am...

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Chapter News

Stepping up legal action: EU Commission urges 19 Member States to implement EU digital and media laws

Today, the Commission takes legal action against 19 Member States failing to deliver the benefits of EU digital legislation in the area of audio-visual media and telecommunications. These Member States are required to transpose into their national laws two new sets of rules, without further delay: the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive and the European Electronic Communications Code, and inform the Commission about this transposition. Both Directives are crucial for the EU's digital transition, after having been commonly agreed by Member States, and...

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Chapter News

Agriculture: Launch of an annual EU organic day

Today, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission celebrate the launch of an annual ‘EU organic day'. The three institutions signed a joint declaration establishing from now on each 23 September as EU organic day. This follows up on the Action Plan for the development of organic production, adopted by the Commission on 25 March 2021, which announced the creation of such a day to raise awareness of organic production. At the signing and launch ceremony, Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski said: “Today we celebrate organic...

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Member News

Cozen O’Connor | Travel Bans To Be Rescinded; Proof of Vaccination To Be Required

On Monday, September 20, 2021, the White House announced that the Biden administration plans to ease travel restrictions on all international travelers coming into the United States. Beginning in early November 2021, the United States will rescind the current geographic COVID-19 travel bans implemented for individuals from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and India. Instead, the United States will require all international travelers to prove that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as...

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