EU and UK regulatory updates for US businesses
As early summer approaches, we wanted to highlight several critical regulatory developments that require attention from US businesses operating in European markets. Our international team has been closely monitoring these changes to help you navigate the evolving compliance landscape. The UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) introduces new compliance challenges that could affect US businesses with UK connections. Simultaneously, the rise of artificial intelligence technologies is reshaping the approach to trade-secret protection in Europe, requiring fresh strategies for intellectual property management. With the EU Accessibility Act’s conformity obligations coming into effect in just two months, businesses need to act swiftly to ensure their digital services meet the new requirements. Additionally, the UK Online Safety Act’s upcoming enforcement in November brings substantial new obligations for online platforms serving UK users.
ECCTA creates new compliance challenges
The UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) significantly impacts US businesses operating in or with the UK, requiring careful attention to compliance and risk management. The law’s extraterritorial scope means US companies could face criminal liability and must enhance their fraud prevention measures. As part of a growing trend toward stricter corporate accountability, US businesses need to proactively adapt their practices to maintain global market presence. Ready to stay ahead of the ECCTA’s impact on your business? We’ve put together FAQs and a risk assessment roadmap that can help you prepare for the upcoming changes and would be happy to put you in touch with our experts for a comprehensive risk assessment and tailored compliance strategy.
Steve Wilson, Managing Partner
Trade secret protection in the AI era
The rise of AI presents significant challenges for trade secret protection in Europe, requiring companies to adapt their IP strategies across US-EU markets. Primary concerns include risks related to AI training data and output regeneration. To address these challenges, companies should implement comprehensive measures, including classification systems, AI-specific contracts, technical safeguards, and security documentation.
Robust protection measures are essential for European compliance and global competitiveness. US businesses should align their trade secret protections with European standards to maintain their competitive edge. Our team is happy to assist you with a comprehensive trade secret protection assessment.
Marius Tillwich, Senior Associate, Germany
EU Accessibility Act: two months to go until conformity obligations kick in
The EU Accessibility Act aims to improve accessibility across a range of products and digital services – notably including any e-commerce websites and apps. Providers must implement accessibility features and document their compliance to avoid regulatory enforcement and consumer litigation. Since the technical obligations can be complex and may require substantial lead time on the product side, now is the time to get all relevant stakeholders involved in assessing which products and services are in scope and what additional accessibility features may need to be implemented.
UK Online Safety Act: new compliance requirements by 2025
The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 introduces comprehensive regulatory changes that will significantly impact US businesses serving UK users. This landmark legislation mandates new requirements for content monitoring and age verification on online platforms. Organizations operating in or targeting the UK market must develop robust compliance strategies, with particular emphasis on implementing child sexual exploitation and abuse reporting mechanisms and age verification systems. To ensure full compliance before the November 2025 enforcement deadline, businesses should prioritize these preparations and consider seeking legal counsel to navigate the complex regulatory landscape effectively.
Felix Hilgert, Partner
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