In light of the global pandemic, governments across the globe are faced with urgent needs whose immediate coverage is a matter of life and death. Hence, these unusual and uncertain times call for rare and exceptional measures, and without much ado, governments around the globe have provided them. Common to all approaches is the will to enable public contractors to procure the urgently needed supplies to save lives and contain the pandemic without major bureaucratic hurdles.
The Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) published guidance on the rules in relation to distance marketing of financial services and products, mainly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The FSMA’s communication provides useful and practical guidance for financial services firms to consider when using remote sales techniques when marketing their products or services.
In this regulatory briefing, we consider the FSMA’s guidance and discuss the most important rules that must be taken into account by the financial services industry in this regard.
Following a recent announcement of the European Commission’s proposal for a three-month deferral of reporting deadlines under the new DAC6 mandatory disclosure regime in the EU and UK, the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union (COREPER) has now reached an agreement on a revised proposal which could possibly defer the reporting deadline for six months. On the basis that the draft Directive, once approved, may be adopted at the discretion of each member state, it is imperative that businesses do not delay in preparing to meet their existing compliance obligations should reporting dates not be deferred (or not be deferred in all Member States where they operate).
In early March 2020, after COVID-19 had already begun its journey of destruction around the world, the European Commission (Commission) published its Comprehensive Strategy with Africa, outlining the region’s plans for its new, stronger relationship with the continent. The Commission had earlier stated that 2020 would be a pivotal year…
In brief On 28 April 2020, the Litigation Chamber of the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) sanctioned an organization…
Under Belgian law, the following options are generally available for contracting authorities to award public contracts for goods, services, and works urgently.
The financial markets are experiencing a significant amount of disruption for which there is no precedent. However, in these difficult times it is important that originators, sponsors and securitisation special purpose entities (SSPEs) do not lose sight of their regulatory obligations under Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 (Securitisation Regulation). This short briefing…
Our team of over 300 antitrust experts around the world have collaborated to produce a truly innovative Global…
Countries around the globe are facing unprecedented and rapid change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government Intervention…
Our latest edition covers 39 jurisdictions, answering five common data privacy and security questions employers may have in light of COVID-19. As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and its profound impact across regions and industries, many companies are facing difficult business and legal challenges and are required to…