Recent Articles

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  09/07/2025

  Switzerland

  Advertising discount pricing in Swiss retail: SECO provides guidance on the Revised Price Indication Ordinance

  On 1 January 2025, revised rules on self-comparative pricing entered into force. Retailers now benefit from increased flexibility when advertising price reductions. They may choose between the traditional "halving rule" and the "two-month limitation" and a new 30-day rule allowing unlimited comparison periods. This dual-track regime simplifies pricing strategies, especially in online and seasonal retail, and reduces administrative effort. In connection with this regime, SECO has provided additional guidance on the application of these revised rules. Swiss retailers gain flexibility in price...

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  08/07/2025

  England and Wales

  Prize draws and competitions in the spotlight: A voluntary code or future regulation?

  The results of a report commissioned by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) into the prize draws and competitions (PDC) market were published on 26 June 2025. DCMS commissioned London Economics in August 2023 to conduct research to provide DCMS with a better understanding of the PDCs markets, with a view to considering whether any government intervention may be required in the sector and, if so, what form that intervention could take.How are PDCs currently regulated?PDCs, unlike lotteries, are not currently regulated under the Gambling Act 2005 in Great Britain. Whilst PDCs exhibit...

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  08/07/2025

  EU, UK

  Ecodesign: A new standard for sustainable products, with a focus on toy safety

  Ecodesign refers to the systemic integration of environmental considerations into the design and development of products, with the aim of minimising their environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle. The EU Ecodesign Framework for Sustainable Products, established by Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (the “Ecodesign Regulation” 2024), sets out an approach to tackling the environmental sustainability of products placed on the EU market. It encompasses the need for products to be durable, repairable, recyclable and contain less hazardous substances.Against this backdrop the...

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  08/07/2025

  Hungary

  Hungarian national bank issues additional AML obligations to crypto-asset service providers

  The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) issued a new decree, setting down detailed rules for the implementation of the obligations for service providers subject to MNB supervision under the AML Act and the minimum requirements for the development and operation of a screening system for such service providers pertaining to restriction measures adopted by the EU and the UN Security Council.From July 2025, each crypto-asset service provider must investigate whether the self-hosted address is owned or otherwise under the actual control of the crypto asset originator or the crypto asset beneficiary. A self-hosted...

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  08/07/2025

  China

  China issues foreign exchange draft rules to optimise cross-border investment and financing

  On 18 June 2025, China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) released the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Deepening the Reform of Foreign Exchange Administration for Cross-border Investment and Financing (Draft for Comments), to expand cross-border investment and financing, particularly for foreign direct investment (FDI).The Draft, now open for public comments until 18 July 2025, covers three major areas: cross-border investment, cross-border financing and the facilitation of capital account income and payment. The following article sets out the principal...

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  08/07/2025

  Hungary

  Hungary’s national bank changes risk-man­age­ment system for determining the quality of public officials

  The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) issued a new decree (14/2025. (VI. 16.)), which sets down detailed rules for implementing the obligations of service providers subject to MNB supervision under the AML Act and the minimum requirements for the development and operation of a screening system for service providers to enforce financial and asset restriction measures adopted by the EU and the Security Council of the UN.In addition to the verification obligation under paragraph (1) to (2a) of Article 12 of the AML Act, service providers must regularly verify the quality of the politically exposed person...

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