Germany: Compliance

The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into potential violations of EU sanctions against Russia in connection with the now-closed 'Russia House' cultural center in Berlin. Authorities are examining whether tenants or occupants of the facility may have breached the Foreign Trade and Payments Act through sanctions-related offenses.

Germany's financial regulator Bafin has published new risk management requirements specifically designed for small and medium-sized investment firms, marking a significant shift from the previous practice of applying credit institution rules. The WpI-MaRisk framework, effective January 2027, provides tailored supervisory expectations that better align with the unique characteristics and business models of investment firms. Investment firms now face the critical task of conducting gap analyses and restructur

Germany is implementing a stricter licensing regime for consumer credit brokers starting November 2026, requiring proof of expertise and prohibiting sales-based compensation. The new rules expand requirements for intermediaries while exempting small and medium-sized enterprises that finance their own sales, fundamentally reshaping how credit brokerage operates in the German market.

The EU Pharma Package introduces significant reforms to regulatory data and market protection periods for medicinal products, fundamentally altering the current "8+2(+1)" protection formula.

Die EU-Verpackungsverordnung (PPWR) entfaltet seit August 2026 unmittelbare Rechtswirkungen in allen EU-Mitgliedstaaten. Die Europäische Kommission hat mit ihrer zweiten FAQ-Auflage wichtige Klarstellungen zur Rollenzuordnung, Erzeugerverantwortung bei Eigenmarken und Transportverpackungen sowie zum behördlichen Vollzug geliefert. Unternehmen müssen ihre Position in der Wertschöpfungskette präzise bestimmen und die damit verbundenen Compliance-Pflichten erfüllen.

A European Patent Office Technical Board of Appeal decision examines whether incorporating energy costs into blow molder input parameters constitutes an inventive step over prior art that considered energy efficiency. The central dispute revolves around whether "energy costs" encompasses energy consumption or is limited to monetary costs, and whether a claim broad enough to produce results indistinguishable from prior art can satisfy inventive step requirements.

Der Europäische Gerichtshof hat entschieden, dass Sollzinssätze bei Verbraucherkrediten nur auf den tatsächlich bereitgestellten Kreditbetrag angewendet werden dürfen – nicht auf mitfinanzierte Kreditkosten wie Versicherungsprämien oder Gebühren. Diese Klarstellung hat weitreichende Folgen für Kreditgeber in der gesamten EU, die ihre Produktgestaltung, Preislogik und Kundenunterlagen entsprechend anpassen müssen. Besonders betroffen sind Banken und Anbieter von

The Council of the European Union has adopted its 20th and 21st sanctions packages against Russia, marking a fundamental shift in EU sanctions policy. Rather than simply expanding lists of designated persons, these measures systematically target the financial infrastructure—payment channels, banking relationships, crypto-asset ecosystems, correspondent banking, trade finance, and maritime logistics—that enables Russia's war economy.

Die BaFin hat ihre aufsichtlichen Anforderungen an die Nutzung virtueller IBANs verschärft und fordert strengere Compliance-Kontrollen zur Bekämpfung von Geldwäsche und Terrorismusfinanzierung.