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In brief President Trump has issued an Executive Order (the Order) directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to launch investigations into the U.S. food sector, focusing on potential price-fixing, other forms of criminal collusion, and non-criminal anticompetitive conduct. The Order creates new Food Supply Chain…

On 4 December 2025, the European Commission introduced the Market Integration & Supervision (MIS) Package to strengthen EU financial market integration.
Key points:
• Direct ESMA oversight of major financial entities and cryptoasset service providers.
• Harmonized rules by converting key directives into regulations for consistent application.
• Goal: Improve market integrity, investor protection, and reduce fragmentation.
Implementation will take several years, with no immediate changes expected.

On 9 December 2025, the European Parliament and Council agreed on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which aims to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering or leaving the EU market.
The Regulation introduces a due diligence system requiring operators and traders to ensure products are “deforestation-free,” provide geolocation data, and submit compliance statements. Non-compliance may result in fines of up to 4% of EU turnover. The main obligations will apply from 30 December 2024.

On 23 September 2025, the EU Environment Commissioner proposed delaying the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by another year due to IT system challenges. Originally set for 30 December 2025, the compliance deadline may be extended to 30 December 2026. The delay aims to reduce uncertainty for authorities and stakeholders and ensure the IT infrastructure can handle operational demands. Further discussions among EU institutions are expected before a formal announcement.

On 20 November 2025, the European Commission proposed major changes to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) to simplify disclosures and strengthen investor protection. The new framework introduces three product categories—Transition, Sustainable, and ESG Basics—each requiring a 70% investment commitment and exclusion of harmful industries. Simplified two-page templates will replace current disclosure rules, and entity-level obligations like principal adverse impacts are removed.
Only products in these categories may use sustainability-related terms in marketing. Taxonomy disclosures become optional, with a 15% safe harbor for aligned assets. Application is expected 18 months after adoption, likely in 2028, marking a significant shift toward clearer, stricter sustainability standards.

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.

Ukraine’s Defence City regime, effective from October 2025, offers tax, customs, and regulatory incentives to defence-related enterprises. Eligible companies must earn most income from defence goods or services. Benefits include exemptions on reinvested profits, real estate, land, and environmental taxes, plus simplified customs and currency rules. However, it excludes R&D credits and broader investor incentives, and cannot be combined with other preferential regimes. Residency is limited to strategically significant entities approved by the Ministry of Defence.

On 23 September 2025, the EU Environment Commissioner proposed delaying the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by another year due to IT system challenges. Originally set for 30 December 2025, the compliance deadline may be extended to 30 December 2026. The delay aims to reduce uncertainty for authorities and stakeholders and ensure the IT infrastructure can handle operational demands. Further discussions among EU institutions are expected before a formal announcement.