Insights

On 27 November 2025, the European Commission adopted the EU Bioeconomy Strategy 2025 (the Strategy), confirming the bioeconomy as a central pillar of Europe’s industrial, sustainability, and competitiveness agenda. The bioeconomy covers activities that deliver sustainable solutions based on biological resources, including biomass, residues, byproducts, and biogenic carbon, across sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biomanufacturing, food, health, energy, materials, and construction.

On July 9, 2025, the Directorate-General for Competition within the European Commission issued two informal guidance letters, both intended to bring increased clarity on competition law compliance to companies in the transport sector.

There is currently a deluge of new EU law being finalized and adopted – particularly on environmental and sustainability issues. At times it may seem overwhelming – with certain new EU laws being overlooked.  However, when serious environmental problems come to light within companies – the first major concern is normally criminal liability. That includes potential criminal liability of the company itself, but also of the CEO, Board Members and other persons leading it. With that in mind – top of a company’s ‘to-do’ list should be ensuring compliance with the new EU Environmental Crime Directive.

What impact will the new Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive really have on the pharma and cosmetic industries?