EU Regulatory Law

Van Bael & Bellis has developed, over the years, an outstanding practice covering various aspects of the European Union’s regulatory laws. This is particularly so in the areas of environmental law, consumer protection issues, product safety, standards and CE marking, food safety, chemicals, and the implementation of the relevant Community laws in all the Member States.

As regards the Community’s environmental law, Van Bael & Bellis’ regulatory lawyers are specialised in all its aspects. The firm regularly advises multinational companies, trade associations and third-country governments on various aspects of EU environmental law in particular sectors.  Some of the more common sectors are waste, in particular end-of-life products (vehicles, electronics, batteries, etc.), hazardous waste and the cross-border transport of waste, a variety of chemicals legislation (mainly the REACH Regulation), other product-related legislation, packaging, climate change and emissions trading, environmental taxes, eco-labelling, the Community eco-management and audit scheme, and the interface between WTO rules and protection of the environment. 

In addition the firm’s lawyers advise clients on all aspects of the “new approach” Directives (concerning, among others, electrical equipment, machinery, toys, construction products and personal protective equipment), CE markings, and the harmonised standards which are frequently being adopted under these Directives.

A specialised team of lawyers works on a daily basis for the firm’s clients in the aforementioned areas, providing advice on specific legal issues as well as monitoring reports on developments in various aspects of the Community’s regulatory framework. These lawyers have built up a network of contacts in the Community Institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council) and Member States’ regulatory authorities, which means the latest information can be obtained at any given time, however complex the issue.