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On June 29, 2023, the EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products, or EUDR) came into effect with little public attention. Initially set to apply to many companies following an 18-month transition period on December 30, 2024, the European Commission has since proposed a 12-month delay, pending expected approval from...

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has answered two controversial questions with its decision of October 4, 2024 in case C-21/23: The background to the procedure is the action taken by a pharmacist against competitors due to the sale of pharmacy-only medicines that are not subject to prescription. In his opinion, their distribution via Amazon...

With the Act to Modernize the Law on Civil Law Partnerships (MoPeG), which came into force on January 1, 2024, it is possible for civil law partnerships to be entered in the company register. Registration is then accompanied by the obligation to use the designation “eingetragene Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts” (i.e. registered company under civil law)...

The EU Battery Regulation ((EU) 2023/1542), which came into force on August 17, 2023, has been partly applicable since February 18, 2024. Companies are undoubtedly confronted with a complex piece of legislation that requires both entrepreneurial and legal insight. The practical challenges are multilayered. Overview of the Regulation’s subject matter The Battery Regulation is intended...

On July 25, 2024, the so-called “EU Supply Chain Act” (Directive (EU) 2024/1760; hereinafter: “Directive”), which relates to the due diligence obligations of companies with regard to sustainability, entered into force. The EU member states have two years – i.e. until July 26, 2026 – to transpose the Directive into national law. Companies to which...

Since the beginning of the year, changes to the shareholder structure of a partnership under civil law (GbR) can no longer be entered in the land register, but only in the company register. This was decided by the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt – and is one of the first decisions on the new partnership...

The Regional Labor Court of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (“LAG”) clarified in its decision of May 15, 2024 – 3 Ta 21/24 that a dismissal from the position of managing director does not automatically turn the underlying contractual relationship into an employment relationship. Facts of the case The plaintiff was entered in the commercial register as a...

Since the beginning of the year, changes to the shareholder structure of a partnership under civil law (GbR) can no longer be entered in the land register, but only in the company register. This was decided by the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt – and is one of the first decisions on the new partnership...

The EU directive on common rules for the promotion of the repair of goods will oblige manufacturers and, in certain circumstances, importers and distributors of certain goods, to offer repairs and provide information about repairs even after the warranty period has expired. The aim: Reduction of CO2 emissions and waste In March 2023, the EU...

The Baden-Württemberg Regional Labor Court (“LAG”) has confirmed the invalidity of the works council election at the Porsche car manufacturer’s Zuffenhausen site. The reason for this was that employees at the Leipzig site had also voted (decision of March 19, 2024 – 15 TaBV 2/23). Facts of the case The decision of the LAG Baden-Württemberg...