Under the EU’s REACH Regulation 1907/2006, substances must be registered with the European Chemicals Agency before being imported. The duty to register lies with the importer. In practice, the act of ‘importing’ often involves multiples actors, including the seller, the buyer and various intermediaries who move the goods across borders. So, who then should register the substance, who is the ‘importer’, and is it possible to shift the responsibility? In the Triferto case (C-654/22), the EU Court of Justice (ECJ) clarified that a person other than the buyer may present itself as the importer and assume the registration obligation.
... Read moreThe European Commission has authorised a new food health claim recognising the digestive health benefits of green kiwifruit. The claim—“Consumption of green kiwifruit contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency”—has recently been added to the Union list of permitted claims under Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, following a five-year authorisation process.
... Read moreKey updates in Russian data security & healthcare CII: New rules for personal data consent (effective Sept 2025), healthcare CII categorization, and penalties for non-compliance. Essential for pharma & medical retailers
... Read moreOn 30 June 2025, several measures entered into force that were imposed by the European Commission regarding the purchase of medical equipment originating from China.
The following two measures apply…
... Read moreOn 24 April 2025, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) announced a landmark decision imposing fines totaling over €11.2 million on three major pharmaceutical companies for their involvement in a long-running anti-competitive arrangement concerning the placement of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in Belgian pharmacies. This decision is the first of its kind in the EU, setting a precedent for future competition law enforcement in category management practices.
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