Talking Shop January 2026
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Partner
UK
I'm the global head of our International Retail & Consumer sector group. As a partner in our international Commercial group in London, I work primarily with retail & consumer focussed businesses on their domestic and international growth and expansion strategies.
Welcome to the January 2026 edition of Talking Shop!
The new year brings fresh opportunities to refine compliance strategies as regulation and consumer expectations continue to evolve. Our spotlight this month is on the Cosmetics, Beauty and Fragrance sectors, with EU and UK horizon scan reports offering strategic insights into one of Europe's fastest-growing industries. We also cover consumer claims across Europe, new subscription and withdrawal button rules in the UK and France, retail regulation in Italian cities, environmental labelling, shape marks, copyright protection and new EU customs requirements.
In the News & Events section you can find details of our upcoming webinars: HR Data Essentials – critical risks for businesses in 2026, and International Relocations in a Changing World, examining global talent mobility and compliance challenges.
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In this edition:
- Spotlight on Cosmetics
- Consumer Law
- Commercial Law
- Dispute Resolution
- ESG
- Intellectual Property
- Tax
- News & Events
Spotlight on Cosmetics
What’s Ahead for the Cosmetics, Beauty & Fragrance Sectors in 2026?
Businesses in the cosmetics, beauty and fragrance ("CBF") sectors will find 2026 to be a pivotal time, shaped by evolving regulation, technological innovation and shifting consumer expectations. Our EU and UK horizon scan reports highlight the key topics that will have the greatest impact on the CBF sectors in the coming months, offering strategic insights to help you navigate an increasingly complex landscape.
Consumer Law
UK & EU: Current and future developments in the consumer law landscape - What do you need to know?
Consumer claims in the EU - What can consumer facing businesses expect in 2026?
New UK legislation to mean stricter rules for subscription services
New obligations applicable to consumers' right of withdrawal in France
Sweden to require withdrawal button for online shopping
Commercial Law
Distressed M&A transactions in the retail and consumer sector in Germany - Legal challenges compared to regular M&A transactions
EU: Accessibility Alert - Non-conformity and derogation disclosure obligations for operators under the European Accessibility Act
Italy: Regulating tourist retail - How Venice and other European cities are rewriting the rules of the historic centre
UK: Contractual terms under the spotlight - Court of Appeal considers implied terms about price
Dispute Resolution
Belgian Supreme Court upholds the application of the 2005 Hague Convention to exclusive choice of court agreements concluded during the Brexit transition period
After years of uncertainty, Belgium's Supreme Court has ruled that UK jurisdiction clauses signed during Brexit's transition period remain enforceable under the Hague Convention, delivering crucial clarity that other EU courts may or may not follow.
EU: The new Alternative Dispute Resolution framework – Directive 2025/2647
The EU is overhauling consumer dispute resolution with mandatory 20-day response deadlines for traders, new powers to bundle mass claims, and expanded coverage to digital services and cross-border e-commerce, fundamentally reshaping how businesses handle customer complaints from September 2028.
ESG
Belgian Competition Authority clears early adoption of compostable coffee pod requirement
Belgium's competition authority approved major coffee brands' collective pledge to switch exclusively to compostable pods 18 months before the EU deadline, signalling a safe harbour for industry-wide early compliance with environmental regulations that deliver measurable sustainability gains.
Europe: EFSA rewrites the playbook - What the 2026 Food Additive Guidance means for your authorisation strategy
EFSA has overhauled its food additive guidance for the first time in over a decade, introducing new requirements for nanoparticles, mandatory exposure tools, and environmental assessments that applicants must navigate from July 2026.
EU Commission publishes FAQ on the Empowering Consumers Directive – Some clarity and remaining open questions
The European Commission's FAQ on the Empowering Consumers Directive provides some answers on generic claims and sustainability labels, but major ambiguities persist as the September 2026 deadline looms without any grandfather rule for existing packaging.
EU: PPWR compliance countdown - A practical strategic guide for Retail & Consumer businesses
With the PPWR application date of 12 August 2026 rapidly approaching, retail and consumer businesses must navigate complex manufacturer definitions, PFAS restrictions, recyclability requirements and labelling obligations - discover the critical compliance deadlines you cannot afford to miss.
France: Environmental labelling - A new tool for more sustainable fashion
France's new environmental labelling system lets fashion brands showcase their sustainability credentials through impact scores visible at point of sale, but will voluntary adoption be enough to transform consumer behaviour and drive the race towards greener textiles?
Intellectual Property
EU: Copyright protection for works of applied art - CJEU clarifies originality standards in landmark furniture design cases
The CJEU has confirmed that furniture and applied art receive the same copyright protection as other works, with originality assessed through objective creative choices visible in the design rather than the author's subjective intent.
Global: Shape Marks - Your secret weapon against lookalikes and dupes
Discover how shape marks can protect your product design from lookalikes and dupes, and learn what evidence you need to prove your shape has acquired the distinctive character required for successful registration and enforcement in the EU.
Global: Should brand owners target AI shopping tools over consumers?
As consumers increasingly turn to AI chatbots to make purchasing decisions, brand owners face new challenges in protecting their trade marks, from LLMs recommending counterfeits to fundamental shifts in how reputation and goodwill must be proven.
Tax
Belgium increases VAT in the Hospitality, Food and Leisure Sectors as of March 2026
Belgium will increase VAT rates from 6% to 12% across hospitality, food and leisure sectors from 1 March 2026, affecting hotel accommodation, take-away meals, gym memberships and admission to cultural and sports facilities, with industry groups warning of competitive disadvantages and pressure on profit margins.
New EU customs duty, handling fees and VAT requirements starting from 2026: Five things e-commerce businesses need to know
EU reforms will abolish the €150 customs duty exemption for e-commerce parcels from July 2026, introducing a fixed €3 duty on low-value items and new handling fees, requiring businesses to reassess pricing strategies and consider using the IOSS VAT mechanism.
New Italian handling fee for low-value shipments: Understanding compliance requirements and business model implications
Italy has introduced a €2 handling fee on all imported shipments valued at €150 or less from 1 January 2026, affecting B2C, B2B and private transactions, requiring businesses to review their cross-border operations and ensure compliance to avoid penalties.
News & Events
Webinar: HR Data Essentials - critical risks for businesses in 2026
4 February, 16:00-18:00 GMT
Employers are under growing pressure to make effective use of employee data while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Join our international privacy, data protection and employment law experts for this annual online session as they explore the key HR data risks facing businesses in 2026, including AI in HR, background checks and emerging pay transparency and privacy obligations.
Webinar: International Relocations in a Changing World
12 February, 16:00-19:30 GMT
Global talent mobility is evolving fast, bringing increased complexity and risk. Join our international immigration and employment law experts for a practical in-person session exploring key regulatory developments, compliance challenges and the wider HR considerations involved in relocating talent across borders. With insights from multiple jurisdictions and global mobility specialists from AIRINC, this event offers valuable guidance for navigating international relocations with confidence.
