Review of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1111
This regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2020/1998, adding two individuals and three entities to the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The move targets those responsible for serious human rights violations in Syria’s coastal region, specifically in March 2025. The listed individuals, Muhammad Hussein al-Jasim and Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr, lead the Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade and the Hamza Division, respectively. The entities sanctioned include these brigades and the Sultan Murad Division. This action triggers asset freezes and travel bans for those listed, signaling the EU’s condemnation of human rights abuses in Syria.
Review of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1094
This regulation amends Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012, updating the list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions concerning Syria. Some entries are removed, others updated, and new ones added. Annex II of the original regulation is amended, including updated information on individuals subject to sanctions, along with the deletion of 22 entities and updated information on another 50. The regulation serves as an update to existing sanctions related to the situation in Syria.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1041
This regulation mandates the registration of imports of adipic acid from China. It is a precautionary measure in response to concerns over alleged dumping practices. The registration will allow for the potential retroactive imposition of anti-dumping duties if the ongoing investigation confirms that such duties are warranted. Customs authorities are directed to register imports of adipic acid, specifying the product’s details, CAS number, CN code, and TARIC code, with the registration lasting for nine months.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1113
This regulation amends Regulation (EC) No 1484/95, adjusting the representative import prices for poultrymeat, eggs, and egg albumin. The updated Annex I directly impacts importers and traders, as it specifies the representative prices for different poultry products from countries like Brazil and Chile. These prices are used to determine the additional import duties applicable, thereby influencing the competitiveness of these products in the EU market.
Review of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1042
This regulation imposes a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel plated or coated with tin originating in China. It finalizes the collection of provisional duties previously imposed. Definitive anti-dumping duties, ranging from 13.1% to 62.3% depending on the company, are introduced. There are specific requirements for commercial invoices to apply individual duty rates and the regulation also addresses interactions with existing safeguard measures on certain steel products.
Review of Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1106
This regulation establishes the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument to provide financial assistance to Member States for investments in the European defence industry. The instrument will provide loans to Member States to facilitate common procurement of defence products. SAFE offers loans up to EUR 150 billion to Member States and sets eligibility conditions for common procurements. Notably, it allows Ukrainian companies to participate in procurements and introduces a VAT exemption for defence products acquired under the instrument.
Review of Regulation (EU) 2025/1098
This regulation amends Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Syria. Its aim is to lift sectoral economic sanctions, maintain restrictions based on security concerns, and support the Syrian people. The regulation adjusts the criteria for listing individuals and entities subject to sanctions, introduces derogations for specific humanitarian and reconstruction activities, and updates procedures for handling frozen funds.
Review of Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1047
This regulation amends Regulation (EU) 2023/1803, focusing on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9 and IFRS 7. The amendments address the classification of financial assets with ESG features, the settlement of liabilities through electronic payment systems, and new disclosure requirements for investments in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and financial instruments with contingent features, such as those linked to ESG targets.
Review of Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1108
This regulation amends Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002, which implements the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds. The key change is the update to the list of participants in the Kimberley Process, adding Uzbekistan to the list.
Review of each of legal acts published today:
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1111 of 28 May 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses
This Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1111 amends Regulation (EU) 2020/1998, which concerns restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses. The new regulation adds two individuals and three entities to the list of those subject to sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. These additions are in response to a wave of violence in Syria’s coastal region in March 2025, where serious human rights violations, including arbitrary killings, were committed against civilians.
The structure of the regulation is straightforward. It consists of two articles and an annex. Article 1 states that Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 is amended as per the Annex to this new regulation. Article 2 specifies that the regulation comes into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. The Annex lists the individuals and entities added to the sanctions list, providing identifying information and the reasons for their listing.
The most important provision of this regulation is the inclusion of specific individuals and entities in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2020/1998, which triggers the restrictive measures outlined in the original regulation. These measures typically include asset freezes and travel bans within the EU. The listed individuals are Muhammad Hussein al-Jasim and Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr, leaders of the Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade and the Hamza Division, respectively. The listed entities are the Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division, and the Sultan Murad Division. All are implicated in serious human rights abuses in Syria. **** This regulation has implications for those individuals and entities, as it restricts their access to the EU and its financial systems, and it serves as a signal of the EU’s condemnation of human rights abuses in Syria.
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1094 of 27 May 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria
Here’s a breakdown of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1094 concerning restrictive measures against Syria:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation amends Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012, which concerns restrictive measures (sanctions) in view of the situation in Syria. The new regulation updates the list of individuals and entities subject to these sanctions by removing some entries, updating information for others, and adding new entries. These measures are part of the EU’s ongoing efforts to address the situation in Syria.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Article 1:** States that Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 is amended according to the Annex of this new regulation.
* **Article 2:** Specifies that the regulation comes into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
The Annex itself contains the specific amendments to Annex II of the original regulation:
* **Section A (‘Persons’):** Replaces 302 entries with updated information on individuals subject to sanctions. This includes names, identifying information (like dates and places of birth, passport numbers), reasons for listing, and the date of listing. The reasons typically involve being associated with the former al-Assad regime, involvement in violence against the civilian population, providing support to the regime, or benefiting from it.
* **Section B (‘Entities’):** Deletes 22 entities from the list of sanctioned entities.
* **Section B (‘Entities’):** Replaces 50 entries with updated information on entities subject to sanctions. Similar to the individuals, the reasons for listing often involve providing support to the former al-Assad regime, benefiting from it, or being involved in activities that enable the regime’s actions.
**3. Main Provisions Important for Use:**
* The updated list of sanctioned individuals and entities in Annex II is the core of this regulation. Anyone dealing with individuals or entities related to Syria needs to consult this list carefully to ensure compliance with EU sanctions.
* The “Reasons” column provides crucial context for why individuals and entities are sanctioned. This can help in assessing the risk associated with dealing with them, even indirectly.
* The regulation directly affects individuals and companies operating in EU member states, as it is binding and directly applicable.
****
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1041 of 27 May 2025 making imports of adipic acid originating in the People’s Republic of China subject to registration
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1041 mandates the registration of imports of adipic acid originating in the People’s Republic of China. This action is a precautionary measure that allows for the potential retroactive imposition of anti-dumping duties if the ongoing investigation determines that such duties are warranted. The regulation is triggered by concerns over alleged dumping practices by Chinese exporters, which have led to the initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding.
The regulation consists of a preamble outlining the reasons and legal basis for the registration, followed by two articles. Article 1 directs customs authorities to register imports of adipic acid, specifying the product’s description, CAS number (124-04-9), CN code (2917 12 00) and TARIC code (2917 12 00 10), and country of origin (People’s Republic of China). It also sets a nine-month expiration period for the registration requirement, starting from the regulation’s entry into force. Article 2 stipulates that the regulation will enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, making it immediately binding and directly applicable in all Member States.
The most important provision of this regulation is Article 1, which instructs customs authorities to register imports of adipic acid from China. This registration is critical because it enables the retroactive application of anti-dumping duties if the subsequent investigation confirms dumping and injury to the Union industry. Businesses importing adipic acid from China should be aware of this registration requirement and the potential for future duties, which could significantly impact the cost of these imports.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1113 of 26 May 2025 amending Regulation (EC) No 1484/95 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin
This Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1113 amends Regulation (EC) No 1484/95, specifically concerning the representative prices for poultrymeat, eggs, and egg albumin. The regulation adjusts these representative import prices to reflect current market variations based on the origin of the products. This adjustment is essential for the proper application of additional import duties within the EU.
The regulation consists of two articles and an annex. Article 1 stipulates that Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1484/95 is replaced by the text provided in the annex of this new regulation. Article 2 states that the regulation will come into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The annex updates the representative prices and security amounts for specific poultry products based on their origin, as indicated by their CN (Combined Nomenclature) codes.
The most important provision of this regulation lies in its updated Annex I, which directly impacts importers and traders of poultrymeat. This annex specifies the representative prices for different categories of poultry products, such as frozen “65% chickens” and boneless cuts, originating from countries like Brazil (BR) and Chile (CL). These prices are crucial for determining the additional import duties applicable to these products, thus affecting their competitiveness within the EU market.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1042 of 27 May 2025 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and definitively collecting the provisional duty imposed on imports of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel plated or coated with tin originating in the People’s Republic of China
This is Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1042, which imposes a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel plated or coated with tin originating in the People’s Republic of China. This regulation also finalizes the collection of the provisional duties that were previously imposed. The decision follows an anti-dumping investigation initiated after a complaint by the European Steel Association (EUROFER), which indicated evidence of dumping and material injury to the Union industry.
The regulation is structured into several sections, addressing the procedure, product concerned, dumping, injury, causation, level of measures, Union interest, and definitive anti-dumping measures. It begins by outlining the procedural steps taken during the investigation, including the initiation, registration of imports, imposition of provisional measures, and subsequent procedures. It defines the product under investigation and confirms the definition of the product concerned as originating from China. The regulation then details the determination of dumping, including the normal value, export price, and comparison, leading to the establishment of dumping margins for specific companies and for all other imports from China. Further sections analyze the injury to the Union industry, the causation between the dumped imports and the injury, and the level of measures necessary to remove the injury. The regulation also considers the Union interest, assessing the impact of the measures on the Union industry, unrelated importers and traders, and users, consumers, or suppliers. Finally, it sets out the definitive anti-dumping measures, including the duty rates and conditions for their application.
Key provisions of the act include the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 13.1% to 62.3% depending on the company, the requirement for a specific declaration on commercial invoices to apply individual duty rates, and the definitive collection of provisional duties. The regulation also addresses the interaction between these anti-dumping duties and existing safeguard measures on certain steel products, ensuring that the concurrent application of both does not lead to an excessive effect on trade. Additionally, it provides a mechanism for new exporting producers to request the application of lower duty rates if they meet certain conditions.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1106 of 27 May 2025 establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) through the Reinforcement of the European Defence Industry Instrument (Text with EEA relevance)
Here’s a breakdown of Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1106 establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE):
**1. Essence of the Act:**
The Regulation establishes the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument to provide financial assistance to Member States for urgent and major public investments in the European defence industry. This is in response to the deteriorating security situation in Europe, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine, and aims to rapidly increase defence production capacity, improve the timely availability of defence products, and accelerate the industry’s adjustment to structural changes. The SAFE instrument will provide loans to Member States to facilitate common procurement of defence products.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Subject Matter and Scope (Article 1):** Establishes the SAFE instrument and defines its scope, focusing on financial assistance to Member States for investments in the European defence industry. It also specifies simplified and accelerated common procurement procedures for defence products.
* **Definitions (Article 2):** Defines key terms such as “defence product” and “common procurement.”
* **Complementary Nature (Article 3):** States that the SAFE instrument complements other Union and Member State measures to support the European defence industry.
* **Conditions for Using the SAFE Instrument (Article 4):** Outlines the conditions under which Member States can request and use financial assistance, focusing on activities related to defence products and common procurements.
* **Form of Financial Assistance (Article 5):** Specifies that financial assistance will be in the form of loans.
* **Maximum Amount of Financial Assistance (Article 6):** Sets the maximum amount of financial assistance available under the SAFE instrument at EUR 150 billion.
* **Request for Financial Assistance and European Defence Industry Investment Plans (Article 7):** Details the process for Member States to request financial assistance, including the requirement to submit a European defence industry investment plan.
* **Decision on the Request for Financial Assistance (Article 8):** Describes how the Commission will assess requests and how the Council will make decisions on providing financial assistance.
* **Borrowing and Lending Operations (Article 9):** Empowers the Commission to borrow funds on behalf of the Union to finance the SAFE instrument.
* **Loan Agreement and Operational Arrangements (Article 10):** Requires the Commission to enter into a loan agreement and operational arrangements with Member States receiving financial assistance.
* **Pre-financing (Article 11):** Allows Member States to request pre-financing of up to 15% of the loan support.
* **Rules on Payments of Instalments and Suspension of Loans (Article 12):** Sets out the rules for payment of loan instalments and the conditions under which loans can be suspended.
* **Prudential Rules Applicable to the Portfolio of Loans (Article 13):** Establishes prudential rules for the loan portfolio, limiting the share of loans granted to the largest Member States.
* **Control and Audits (Article 14):** Specifies that the loan agreement must include provisions for controls and audits.
* **Reporting (Article 15):** Requires the Commission to provide annual reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the use of financial assistance.
* **Eligibility Rules on Common Procurement Supporting Defence Industry Investments (Article 16):** Sets out the eligibility conditions for common procurements to receive support under the SAFE instrument, including requirements for contractors and subcontractors.
* **Conditions for the Participation of Other Third Countries Entities and Products (Article 17):** Allows the Union to conclude agreements with other third countries to open up eligibility conditions.
* **Modification of Framework Agreements or Contracts (Article 18):** Outlines the conditions under which existing framework agreements or contracts can be modified to facilitate procurements supported by the SAFE instrument.
* **Cases Justifying the Use of the Negotiated Procedure Without the Publication of a Contract Notice in the Context of a Procurement Supported by the SAFE Instrument (Article 19):** States that procurements involving Member States receiving financial assistance are deemed to satisfy the condition of urgency resulting from a crisis.
* **VAT Exemption on Importation and Supply of Defence Products (Article 20):** Introduces a VAT exemption for supplies, intra-Community acquisitions, and importations of defence products made under contracts resulting from procurements supported by the SAFE instrument.
* **Application of the Rules on Classified Information and Sensitive Information (Article 21):** Addresses the handling of classified and sensitive information.
* **Information, Communication and Publicity (Article 22):** Outlines the communication activities to be undertaken by the Commission and Member States to ensure the visibility of Union funding.
**3. Main Provisions for Practical Use:**
* **Eligibility Conditions for Common Procurement (Article 16):** These conditions are crucial for Member States and defence companies to understand, as they dictate who can participate in common procurement projects funded by the SAFE instrument. The requirements regarding the location of contractors and subcontractors, control by third countries, and the origin of components are particularly important.
* **Request for Financial Assistance and Investment Plans (Article 7):** Member States need to adhere to the requirements for submitting a request for financial assistance, including the detailed European defence industry investment plan.
* **VAT Exemption (Article 20):** The VAT exemption on defence products acquired under the SAFE instrument is a significant financial incentive and should be carefully considered in procurement planning.
**** This regulation is highly relevant to Ukraine, as it specifically includes Ukraine in several provisions, such as allowing Ukrainian companies to participate in common procurements and considering the involvement of Ukraine in planned activities. This highlights the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities and integrating its defence industry with the European one.
Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1098 of 27 May 2025 amending Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria
Regulation (EU) 2025/1098 amends Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures against Syria. The key aim is to lift sectoral economic sanctions while maintaining restrictions based on security concerns, following the declared intention to support the Syrian people in rebuilding a new, inclusive Syria. The regulation adjusts the criteria for listing individuals and entities subject to sanctions, introduces derogations for specific humanitarian and reconstruction activities, and updates procedures for handling frozen funds.
The amending regulation modifies several articles of Regulation (EU) No 36/2012. It replaces Articles 14 and 15, which define the freezing of assets and the composition of Annex II (the list of sanctioned individuals and entities). A new Article 15a is inserted, allowing for derogations under specific conditions for entities listed as Number 42 and Number 43 in Annex II, concerning reconstruction, capacity-building, counter-terrorism and migration. Articles 16, 18, 20, 20a, 21c, 27, 27a, and 32 are amended to reflect these changes. Furthermore, Articles 1a, 6, 6a, 6b, 7, 7a, 8, 9, 9a, 10, 11, 11a, 11b, 12, 13, 13a, 21, 21a, 21b, 23, 24, 25, 25a, 26 and 26a, as well as Annexes IV, Va, Vb, VI, VII, VIII, X and XI are deleted, streamlining the legal framework.
The most important provisions for practical use include the revised criteria for listing in Annex II, which now focus on individuals and entities associated with the former al-Assad regime or involved in chemical weapons proliferation, but with a mechanism to remove those no longer associated with the regime or posing a risk of circumvention. The derogations introduced by Article 15a are also crucial, as they allow for the release of frozen funds for specific activities related to reconstruction and counter-terrorism, under the authorization of Member State authorities. These changes signal a shift towards easing restrictions to support the Syrian population while maintaining a focus on security-related concerns.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1047 of 27 May 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1803 as regards International Financial Reporting Standard 9 and International Financial Reporting Standard 7
This Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1047 amends Regulation (EU) 2023/1803, focusing on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9 and IFRS 7. The amendments address the classification of financial assets with ESG features and the settlement of liabilities through electronic payment systems. It also introduces new disclosure requirements for investments in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and financial instruments with contingent features, such as those linked to ESG targets. The regulation aims to promote loans with ESG-linked features and increase transparency for investors.
The regulation consists of three articles and an annex. Article 1 specifies the amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7 as set out in the annex. Article 2 states that companies must apply these amendments no later than the start of their first financial year beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Article 3 indicates that the regulation will come into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The annex provides detailed amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7, including additions and modifications to paragraphs and application guidance.
The most important provisions for practical use include the clarification on classifying financial assets with ESG features, the allowance for derecognizing financial liabilities settled through electronic payment systems before the settlement date under specific conditions, and the new disclosure requirements for financial instruments with contingent features and investments in equity instruments measured at FVOCI. These changes affect how companies classify and report certain financial instruments, particularly those with ESG-related components, and aim to provide more transparent information to investors.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1108 of 23 May 2025 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 implementing the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds
This Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1108 amends Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002, which implements the Kimberley Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds. The key change involves updating the list of participants in the Kimberley Process (KP) certification scheme and their respective competent authorities. This update reflects the addition of Uzbekistan to the list of participants, as approved by the Kimberley Process Plenary in November 2024.
The regulation consists of two articles and an annex. Article 1 stipulates that Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this regulation. Article 2 indicates that the regulation will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Annex provides an updated list of participants in the Kimberley Process certification scheme, including their competent authorities. The main change is the addition of Uzbekistan, with its corresponding Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan as the competent authority.
The most important provision of this act is the updated list of participants in Annex II, as it directly affects who is recognized under the Kimberley Process certification scheme. Businesses and individuals involved in the international trade of rough diamonds need to be aware of this updated list to ensure compliance with the Kimberley Process requirements.
