Berlin

As part of the EU’s measures to support consumers contracting with online retailers, it has introduced requirements that retailers make it easier for consumers to withdraw from online contracts, by providing clearer (and well signposted) means of withdrawal online. Despite its name, Directive (EU) 2023/2673 as regards financial services contracts concluded at a distance contains important new rules for all online consumer contracts as it amends an important directive on consumer rights (Directive (EU) 2011/83).  Online retailers (whether based in the EU or based outside the EU but targeting the EU market) will therefore need to adjust their online contracting processes and ensure they have appropriate online architecture in place to permit consumers to withdraw from a contract in the manner the directive requires. France has now implemented the changes required into French national law, but all EU Member States need to follow suit. Online retailers should be working to implement these new requirements before 19 June 2026.

On 13 November 2025, the European Parliament (the “Parliament”) adopted its negotiating position on the EU Omnibus I Directive amending the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (“CSDDD”). The text adopted by the European Parliament can be found here and their press release here. 

As we pass the mid-point of 2025, it’s a good time to review the important developments we have seen in the first 6 months of this year, particularly reforms to the UK’s data protection laws, the EU’s pathway to implementation of its AI Act, the CNIL’s recent regulatory focus (AI, transfer impact assessments and connected vehicles) and the approach in the Middle East to tech innovation, particularly AI.