With Judgment No. 544 of 18 July 2022, the Administrative Court of the Basilicata Region dismissed the appeal against the decision to award a tender for the supply of flu vaccines to the regional health service. In this regard, the plaintiff challenged the allocation of the type and quantity of flu vaccines to be supplied into separate lots, based on the alleged violation of the principles of competition and non-discrimination.
On 22 July 2022, the UK government published a policy paper entitled “Resilience for the future: The UK’s critical minerals strategy” (UKCMS). The UKCMS outlines how the UK will secure critical mineral supply chains to ensure the energy transition. It also sets out the UK state support for domestic production of critical minerals as well as enabling the supply from third-party nations.
On 27 July 2022, the FCA published its highly anticipated final rules and guidance on the new Consumer Duty, ushering in a fundamental cultural shift in the way that regulated firms will approach and serve customers, and starting the countdown clock for implementation plans across the industry.
Following the launch of the RePowerEU package, the European Commission continues to develop the regulatory framework applicable to renewable fuels of non-biological origin (mainly renewable hydrogen). Two draft Delegated Acts that will have a significant impact on the hydrogen market have been published for public consultation under the Renewable Energy Directive recast (REDII, Directive (EU) 2018/2001).
On 13 July 2022, the European General Court endorsed the European Commission’s ability to exert jurisdiction over transactions that do not trigger either EU or national merger control thresholds by virtue of the so-called Article 22 referral mechanism (Case T-227/21). With this ruling, the General Court has effectively validated a hybrid ex ante/ex post EU merger control regime. It is hoped that any future Article 22 intervention will remain exceptional.
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled OFAC issues new and amended Russia General Licenses, FAQs; new fact sheet on agricultural trade on 19 July 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled Canada bans the provision of two additional services to the Russian oil, gas, chemical and manufacturing industries, designates eight new sanctioned manufacturing industries on 20 July 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled House NDAA would ban federal contracts with businesses operating in Russia on 20 July 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
Amidst a shift to a low-carbon economy, the EU Taxonomy is a mechanism aiming to accelerate the European energy transition. In our new podcast, EMEA EMI Talks, Andy Moody (Partner, London; Head of Disputes and Chair, EMEA Energy, Mining and Infrastructure Group) and William-James Kettlewell (Associate, Brussels; Member of the Baker McKenzie Energy Transition Group) explore the impact of the EU Taxonomy mechanism on businesses that are active in the energy and renewables sectors, as well as risks and opportunities in the energy, mining and infrastructure sector in EMEA.
Following the government’s recent announcement, Parliament has approved the removal of the prohibition on businesses using temporary workers to cover staff taking part in industrial action and increased the maximum amount of damages that a court can award against a trade union for unlawful strike action. These changes became effective on 21 July 2022.