Review of Recent EU Legislative Developments
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act)
This Regulation establishes a harmonized regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. It classifies AI systems into risk categories—unacceptable, high, limited, and minimal—and mandates compliance requirements for each. It prohibits specific AI practices deemed to pose unacceptable risks, such as social scoring and certain forms of remote biometric identification, while imposing transparency obligations on general-purpose AI models and strict risk management protocols for high-risk systems.
Directive (EU) 2024/1760 (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive)
This Directive mandates that large companies identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for negative human rights and environmental impacts throughout their global value chains. It requires companies to integrate due diligence into their policies, conduct regular assessments, and implement transition plans to align their business models with the 1.5°C climate target of the Paris Agreement.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 (Waste Shipment Regulation)
This Regulation updates the procedures and control regimes for the shipment of waste. It introduces a blanket prohibition on the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries and establishes stricter conditions for the export of non-hazardous waste to OECD countries. It mandates the implementation of an electronic data exchange system to streamline administrative procedures and enhance the traceability of waste shipments.
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation)
This Regulation sets a framework for establishing ecodesign requirements for specific product groups to improve their circularity, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. It mandates the implementation of a “Digital Product Passport” to provide information regarding product durability, reparability, and recycled content, and introduces specific measures to prevent the destruction of unsold consumer goods.
