1. Free, Practical Compliance Support for SMEs – and Beyond
On 25 March 2025, the European Commission launched the EU Sanctions Helpdesk to assist European operators in complying with the European Union’s sanctions regimes imposed worldwide.
With over 40 EU sanctions regimes currently in force, navigating these regulations can be complex. The EU Sanctions Helpdesk offers free, practical support to facilitate sanctions due diligence, including:
- A dedicated inquiry service for sanctions-related questions
- A comprehensive knowledge base with country-specific guidance and examples
- Training webinars tailored to SMEs engaged in international trade.
While the Helpdesk primarily targets Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) – which often face greater challenges due to limited compliance resources – larger corporations may also find significant value in these services. Notably, the Helpdesk’s Resources page consolidates a wealth of materials, providing an excellent starting point for anyone needing to engage with EU sanctions compliance.
2. Russia-Related Sanctions: Extra Support and Reading
For those particularly interested in Russia-related sanctions, it’s good to note that the Helpdesk offers a dedicated resource page for Russia (click on the drop-down under “Russia-related” at the end of the Resources page).
You may also find my two previous blog articles on this topic of interest:
- The No-Russia Clause: A Guide for EU Exporters: This article delves into the implications of the EU’s 12th package of sanctions against Russia, focusing on the ‘No-Russia clause’ requirements and their impact on EU exporters.
- Russia Sanctions: EU Court Clarifies Legal Advisory Services Prohibition: This article discusses the General Court of the European Union’s decision upholding the prohibition on providing legal advisory services to Russian entities, clarifying its scope and implications for legal professionals.
Thoughts, comments or questions? Get in touch!
Gundo Haacke, Interim Legal Counsel & Owner of Haacke Commercial Legal Services.
Blog article published on 10 April 2025.
Image credit: EU Sanctions Helpdesk.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog article is for general informational purposes only. Nothing contained in this blog article constitutes legal advice, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.
