On 6 December 2024, the Private Investigations Act (PIA) was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. The PIA imposes certain new obligations with respect to private investigation activities, whether carried out in-house or by external investigators. Given the broad scope of application of the PIA, it is likely to materially impact many employers in Belgium.
In April 2025, Italy’s competition authority (AGCM) launched an investigation into a clothing retailer over alleged unfair commercial practices. The company is accused of using dual-price tags—featuring a crossed-out higher price—to allegedly suggest discounts on items that were never actually sold at the inflated price. This potentially misleading tactic could deceive consumers into believing they are receiving a bargain.
On 5 March 2025, the European Commission presented an industrial action plan to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness in the automotive sector. The plan seeks to offer a comprehensive strategy aimed at maintaining the global competitiveness of the European automotive industry while navigating the transition to clean mobility and digital integration. Simultaneously, it seeks to address challenges such as access to raw materials, uncompetitive trade practices and rising production costs.
On 24 April 2025, the revised version of UNE 19601 Standard on Management System for Criminal Compliance was published, replacing the previous version from 2017. UNE 19601 is the reference standard in Spain for implementing a criminal compliance management system and it covers the requirements of the Spanish Penal Code as well as international standards in the field.
The general approach of the initial version is maintained, although modifications have been introduced to adapt it to regulatory changes (primarily, those in the Spanish Penal Code and whistleblowing management standards) and international standards of recent years (such as ISO 37301:2021 or ISO 37002:2021).
On 9 April 2025, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier issued several new circulars related to information and communication technologies risk management and the use of ICT third parties, aiming to align existing circulars and practices with the Digital Operational Resilience Act.
On 4 March 2025, the Luxembourg parliament adopted draft bill No. 8225, transposing the employment law provisions of the Mobility Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/2121) into Luxembourg law. This legislation introduces new rules on employee information, consultation and participation in cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions.
A legislative proposal has been introduced to implement the ‘Pay Transparency Directive’ in the Netherlands. On 26 March 2025, the internet consultation for this proposal was launched and will conclude on 7 May 2025. Following this, a decision will be made on whether, and in what form, the bill will be submitted to the House of Representatives. The intended implementation date for the bill is 7 June 2026.
The parliamentary process of the Draft Law on Transparency and Integrity of Lobbying Activities within the General State Administration and its institutional public sector has already begun. The initiative aims to transform the opaque perception of interest groups at the state level by imposing greater transparency obligations and recognizing them as legitimate, responsible, and open actors in influencing policy design and public decision-making. However, it remains to be seen whether the current text will undergo significant modifications during the parliamentary process.
In February 2025, the EU Commission introduced the Omnibus Simplification Package to streamline sustainability regulations. This package includes two proposed Directives: the “Stop-the-clock” Directive, which proposes delaying the CSRD and CSDDD compliance timelines, and a second Directive that suggests substantive changes to both the CSRD and CSDDD. The “Stop-the-clock” Directive is now close to being approved, giving businesses more certainty on the timeline for compliance.
With the Climate Protection Contracts (Klimaschutzverträge) program (also known as Carbon Contracts for Difference program), Germany has been relying on an innovative instrument to ensure (climate-neutral) competitiveness since 2023. Following the largely positive reception of the first bidding round and the European Commission’s approval under state aid law on 24 March 2025, the course is now set for the implementation of the second bidding round. According to the latest reports, the new federal government also seems to want to give the final green light for the continuation of the program.