EU Chemicals Agency Appeals Board Finalizes First Decisions; Late Fees at Issue
October 21, 2011 in International Environment Reporter
The European Chemicals Agency’s appeals panel Oct. 11 published final decisions in two cases filed by companies contesting the agency’s rejection of their registrations under the European Union’s REACH law…
U.S. House, Senate Pass Free Trade Agreements With South Korea, Colombia, Panama
October 21, 2011 in International Trade Reporter
Successive floor votes Oct. 12 by the House and Senate ratified the pending free trade agreements with Korea (H.R. 3080), Colombia (H.R. 3078), and Panama (H.R. 3079), clearing their way for presidential signature…
ANALYSIS: Should You Care What The EU Article 29 Working Party Says?
October 21, 2011 in World Data Protection Report
The EU Article 29 Data Protection Working Party performs an important function, helping with the development and interpretation of EU data protection law. Its main output is “soft law” opinions, which are not legally binding…
ANALYSIS: A Broader Perspective On EU Concerns About US Law Enforcement Access To Information In The Cloud
October 21, 2011 in World Data Protection Report
Cloud computing is gaining momentum as the new IT paradigm and a leading business and economic model. In weighing the pros and cons of going cloud, users must assess what this means for them in terms of security and data protection, just how safe, private and confidential their data is in the cloud, both from a technical and legal point of view…
European Bank Recapitalization Plans Meet Hostility Over Private Sector Involvement
October 21, 2011 in Banking Report
Leading European banks launched intensive efforts Oct. 13 to thwart new European Commission bank recapitalization proposals, which industry representatives insist will do more damage than good when it comes to economic growth and resolving the euro zone sovereign debt crisis…
ANALYSIS: Practical Suggestions For Compliance With The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act And The U.K. Bribery Act
October 21, 2011 in World Securities Law Report
Increased enforcement of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is old news. And now, as if the FCPA had not been enough, beginning this summer, companies and individuals alike have the U.K. Bribery Act to worry about…
Russia to Agree on Phased Reduction of Farm Subsidies under Draft WTO Deal
October 13, 2011 in WTO Reporter
Russia is ready to accept an eventual cap of $4.4 billion per year in trade-distorting farm subsidies as part of its agreement for accession to the World Trade Organization, officials told BNA Sept. 29…
New Zealand Claims Success Cutting Red Tape for Environmental Permitting
October 13, 2011 in International Environment Reporter
New Zealand has made significant efficiency gains in the administration of its main environmental law, the 1991 Resource Management Act (RMA), according to a government report released Sept. 29…
China Announces New Emissions Standards for Coal-Fired Power Plants Starting January 1, 2012
October 13, 2011 in International Environment Reporter
China plans to tighten limits on coal-fired power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and coarse particulate matter (PM-10) for the first time since 2003…
ANALYSIS: UK ICO’s Guide To New Laws Surrounding Privacy And Electronic Communications
October 13, 2011 in World Data Protection Report
On September 7, 2011, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) published a comprehensive guide on current rules relating to privacy and electronic communications, in particular, direct marketing (automated calls, telephone marketing, e-mail and viral marketing), recent changes on using cookies and the measures a public electronic communications provider (“service provider”) should take to protect the security of its services, including the notification of any personal data breach to the ICO and the ICO’s new audit powers…