Due to the increased importance of sustainability, environmental protection and social factors in recent years, the luxury industry has found itself at a crossroads of tradition and transformation. Once characterized...more
Key topics in Akin’s July 2024 Sustainability/ESG Policy and Regulatory Update include: Updated Assessment of SFDR by EU Regulators: The European Supervisory Authorities have proposed changes to the Sustainable Finance...more
In this month’s round-up of the latest developments in ESG for UK clients, we cover: New ESMA guidelines to use ESG or sustainability-related fund names FCA publishes new guidance on the anti-greenwashing rule, to come into...more
On 31 May 2024, a new anti-greenwashing rule is being introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) as part of its Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (“SDR”). We cover here the introduction of the FCA’s...more
On 14 May 2024, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") published its final report on "Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms" (the "Guidelines"). The Guidelines aim to provide...more
Amid a rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing and initiatives, the European Union and United Kingdom have set their sights on efforts to combat greenwashing in the financial sector. Regulations...more
On November 28, 2023, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") published its long-awaited final rules and guidance on Sustainability Disclosure Requirements ("SDR") and investment labels. According to the FCA, it intends...more
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in green products and the promotion of sustainable objectives across the financial services industry. For example, we have seen much discussion of green loans, green...more
In our previous alert, The Sustainability Disclosure Requirements and Investment Labels Rules: Tougher ESG Standards for UK Private Fund Managers, we discussed the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) October 2022 consultation...more
On September 14, 2023, the European Commission launched two consultations on the implementation of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation ("SFDR"): One targeted at public bodies and expert stakeholders, and one aimed...more
On 28 November 2023, the long-awaited UK regime for the labelling, marketing and disclosure of sustainable funds (Sustainability Disclosure Requirements or “SDR”) has been published in the Financial Conduct Authority’s...more
On 14 September 2023, the European Commission published a targeted consultation and a public consultation on the implementation of Regulation (“EU”) 2019/2088 on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services...more
The UK’s financial services regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has delayed the release of its policy statement setting out the final rules of the Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDRs), leaving asset...more
The European Commission has published two consultation papers that seek views on the fundamental features and effectiveness of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR). The purpose of both the targeted and the...more
Both opportunities and challenges have arisen for the asset management industry as a result of the rapid introduction of UK and EU sustainable finance regulation in recent years. The new requirements have been heightened in...more
There are useful takeaways for EU and non-EU firms arising from the European Supervisory Authorities’ (ESA) latest thinking on greenwashing. In June 2023, the ESAs issued progress reports examining greenwashing risks and...more
On 5 July 2023, BaFin, Germany's financial supervisory authority, outlined its sustainable finance strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy focuses on five areas that BaFin views as key to supporting the transition to a more...more
Over the last few months, the European Commission and the European Supervisory Authorities (“ESAs”) have published a number of press releases and reports that aim to clarify and provide further updates on concepts used within...more
On 1 June 2023, the three European Supervisory Authorities (the “ESAs”) published their respective progress reports (ESMA, EBA and EIOPA) in response to a request for their input from the European Commission (the...more
The European Commission ("Commission") is relentless in its fight against Greenwashing and the misrepresentation of sustainability impacts or benefits of a company’s products or actions. Following the global ESG trend and the...more
On 20 February 2023, the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (“ESMA”) consultation paper (ESMA34-472-373) “Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms” (the “Consultation”) closed to comments....more
In a response to a call for evidence on greenwashing by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group (SMSG) emphasized the importance for EU authorities to ensure that any...more
Following the turn of the new year, our UK Regulatory specialists have examined the key regulatory developments in 2023 impacting a range of UK and European firms within the financial services sector. The key dates have been...more
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1288, setting out the regulatory technical standards (RTS) to be used by financial market participants (FMPs) when disclosing sustainability-related information under the Sustainable...more
SFDR and Asset Allocators. The European Green Deal declared climate change and environmental degradation as existential threats to Europe and the world. The European Union (EU) has set out to mobilize private financial...more