Belgium: Export Controls & Trade & Investment Sanctions

The Flemish government has adopted a comprehensive reform of its Arms Trade Decree, introducing a risk-based licensing system that differentiates between low-risk and high-risk jurisdictions while expanding exemptions for NATO and EEA countries. The new framework, set to enter force in December 2027, aims to balance facilitating legitimate defense trade with maintaining effective export controls, while aligning more closely with European regulations and reducing administrative burdens for companies.

The European Union has unveiled its most comprehensive sanctions package against Russia to date, targeting 216 individuals and entities across energy, financial services, and cryptocurrency sectors. With unprecedented measures including shadow fleet vessel restrictions, crypto-asset service provider bans, and enhanced legal protections for EU operators, this 21st package represents a significant escalation in economic pressure designed to disrupt Russia's war economy and close circumvention channels through

This update examines critical policy and regulatory developments affecting EU geopolitical risks, spanning economic security measures, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emerging health threats, and evolving cyber security challenges. The analysis provides strategic insights into how these interconnected risks are reshaping the European regulatory landscape and what stakeholders need to monitor.

The question arose in the context of sanctions imposed against Belarus under Regulation (EC) 765/2006.

This regular alert covers key policy and regulatory developments related to EU geopolitical risks, including in particular, economic security...

On 22 May 2025, the European Commission ("Commission") made public risk classification of countries under the EU Deforestation Regulation ("EUDR")...

Renato Antonini, Eva Monard, and Byron Maniatis authored an article for Export Compliance Manager titled "The Notion of Circumvention Under EU Sanctions."

On 8 March 2023, the General Court granted Violetta Prigozhina's request to annul the restrictive measures imposed via Council Regulation (EU) 2022/260...

Against the background of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed a number of sanctions, which include a prohibition for companies within the EU to take certain measures in relation to Russia...