Since the inception of the European Union’s Whistleblowing Directive in 2019, we have seen greater scrutiny of whistleblowing practices and a number of key jurisdictions beyond Europe upgrading their whistleblowing laws. Read on for a summary of the latest developments in whistleblowing laws across the globe.
Since finding that the Police’s use of a “No Consent Regime” (“Regime”) in freezing accounts that contain suspected proceeds of crime was unlawful and unconstitutional, the Hong Kong Court of First Instance has now handed down its decision on relief and costs in Tam Sze Leung & Ors v. Commissioner of Police [2022] HKCFI 772.
The Court declared that the Letters of No Consent (LNCs) in issue and the Regime “as operated” by the Police are: (i) ultra vires Sections 25 and 25A of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO) (Cap. 455); and (ii) incompatible with Articles 6 and 105 of the Basic Law, as the Regime as operated by the Police is not prescribed by law and is disproportionate
The Australian Government recently introduced new manufacturing, labelling and packaging requirements for medicinal cannabis products manufactured or supplied in Australia, under amendments to the Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Medicinal Cannabis) (TGO 93) Amendment Order 2022 (Amendment Order), effective as of 28 March 2022.
In March 2022, the Health Sciences Authority released its revised Health Supplements Guidelines. This is accompanied by sets of brand new guidelines regarding (i) claims and claims substantiation; (ii) labelling standards; and (iii) safety and quality standards, which were also released on March 2022.
Federal Decree No. 11,034 of 2022, published on 5 April 2022, regulates Law No. 8,078/1990 – the Brazilian Consumer Defense Code, and establishes new guidelines regarding customer service center.
We’re pleased to announce the publication of the second edition of Ukrainian Laws in Wartime: Guide for International and Domestic Businesses. This guide provides a brief overview of the key features of such wartime legislation. It is structured as a set of responses to the most common questions raised and considered by international and Ukrainian businesses these days.
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled US Issues Full Blocking Sanctions on Sberbank and Alfa-Bank; New and Amended General Licenses; New Investment Ban for Russia on 7 April 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
On 14 December 2021, the UK government launched a consultation on proposals to reform the Human Rights Act 1998 entitled the “Human Rights Act Reform: A Modern Bill of Rights”. The Consultation recently closed for most recipients, and its outcome could reshape existing constitutional norms and protections, as well as opening a path to the light-touch regulatory economy reportedly envisaged as part of the UK’s post-Brexit future.
On 4 March 2022, a Joint Administrative Order No. 22-01entitled Guidelines for Online Businesses Reiterating the Laws and Regulations Applicable to Online Business and Consumers, was published among 6 government bodies. The JAO seeks to increase consumer confidence in business-to-consumer and business-to-business e-commerce transactions by ensuring that e-commerce platforms, electronic retailers and online merchants are guided on the rules, regulations and responsibilities in the conduct of online business. It reiterates existing policies, procedures and guidelines that apply to online businesses, and provides an integrated remedies process for online consumers.
On 18 March 2022, the government announced that it has opened consultation on digital economy regulation settings in Australia. The government is seeking feedback on regulatory frameworks, particularly in relation to automated decision making and artificial intelligence.