On 26 November 2025, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published updated Guidance on Evaluating a Corporate Compliance Programme. The new guidance replaces the previous guidance introduced in January 2020 and sets out six scenarios in which the SFO may assess an organisation’s compliance programme. Following the introduction of the “failure…

On 19 November 2025, Colombia reinforced its legal framework to combat smuggling and the facilitation of smuggling, emphasizing risks, prevention, and corporate accountability.
The measures target unauthorized import/export practices and concealment of goods, with penalties escalating for goods exceeding statutory thresholds. Companies face heightened criminal liability for executives and representatives, even if goods are later regularized, alongside intensified enforcement by DIAN and the Prosecutor’s Office.
The framework underscores obligations for traceability, documentation, and internal compliance controls, while promoting employee training and reporting mechanisms. These actions aim to safeguard tax collection, fair competition, and economic integrity, signalling a strategic push toward stricter customs compliance and corporate governance.

On 22 November 2025, Brazil’s National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR) introduced new rules to combat greenwashing in advertising. The changes cover biodiversity, climate change, and waste disposal, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to environmental protection.
Two new articles encourage responsible socio-environmental communication and set guidelines for sustainability claims and technical terminology.
Advertisers must provide detailed data on emissions, carbon offsets, and product life cycles, along with specific deadlines and action plans for environmental goals. These changes aim to ensure transparency and prevent misleading sustainability claims.

On 8 October 2025, Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) issued a binding precedent on the criminal offense of pollution under Article 54. The ruling, delivered through Special Appeal under the system of repetitive appeals, clarifies that the offense is of a formal nature and constitutes an abstract danger crime. It establishes that potential harm to human health is sufficient for liability, without requiring proof of actual harm or technical expertise. Evidence may be provided through any suitable means. This precedent simplifies prosecution and will guide lower courts nationwide, reinforcing environmental compliance obligations.

On 26 October 2025, the United States and Vietnam concluded a framework agreement aimed at establishing reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade relations. The final commitments are expected to be signed and ratified by both parties before the end of 2025.
This framework introduces comprehensive commitments across digital trade, services and investment, intellectual property, labor, environment, customs and trade facilitation, regulatory practices, and state-owned enterprise conduct. It includes reciprocal tariff arrangements, preferential market access for US exports, and the removal of technical barriers affecting US goods. These developments reflect a strategic effort to deepen bilateral economic cooperation while aligning regulatory standards and market access terms.

On 17 October 2025, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), establishing the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) as the new supervisory authority for personal data matters.
These changes respond to a 2022 Constitutional Court ruling and aim to strengthen independent oversight while enhancing data protection standards across both public and private sectors.
Key updates include mandatory appointment of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) for government agencies, new breach notification and reporting obligations for non-government entities, expanded inspection powers for the PDPC, and a six-year transition period for certain supervisory functions.
The PDPC will also issue baseline security regulations and serve as the appeals body for administrative decisions. The effective date will be set by the Executive Yuan, with implementation expected in 2026.

On 22 September 2025, draft Law No. 14062 proposing the introduction of a foreign direct investment (FDI) screening regime was registered with the Ukrainian Parliament.
The draft law aligns with the European Union’s FDI Regulation 2019/452 and aims to safeguard national security by establishing a formal review process for investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, strategic minerals, and defense. It introduces a notification requirement for qualifying transactions, a multi-stage review process, and sanctions for non-compliance, while also integrating with Ukraine’s merger control framework.

CEO fraud is evolving with artificial intelligence, shifting from mass phishing to highly targeted attacks that are harder to detect. Deepfake technology and hyper-realistic scenarios demand stronger compliance programs, ISO 37003-based fraud control systems, and proactive protocols to protect organizations against this rising threat.

In brief A recent case brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), in partnership with a network of federal enforcement agencies, highlights the resources the government is willing to expend to address trade and procurement fraud against the United States. On August 21,…

In brief This marks an important, substantial step towards a new harmonized and more restrictive regime for branches of non-EU/EEA firms, e.g., from the US, UK and Asia, which provide “core banking services” of deposit-taking, lending, and providing guarantees and commitments to German clients, so-called third-country branches (“TCB”) under Art.…