News

ESG, compliance and risk management

UK 'failure to prevent fraud' offence comes into force

12/06/2025

WR ESG Alert: The Norwegian Government passes Food Loss Act and Marine Protection Act, the EFTA Court issues landmark advisory opinion and more

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the adoption of two new Norwegian acts on food loss and marine protection, a landmark advisory opinion from the EFTA Court on the interpretation of the EIA Directive, adoption of a country risk classification under the EU Deforestation Regulation, and the proposed Omnibus IV package.

02/06/2025

UK government guidance paves way for entry into force of failure to prevent fraud offence

In September 2025, the UK’s new corporate “failure to prevent fraud” offence introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the "Act"), will come into force. The Act is part of the UK government's ongoing and wider efforts to reform corporate criminal enforcement in the UK, including to strengthen corporate accountability.

08/05/2025

WR ESG Alert: EU 'Stop the Clock' Directive enters into force, whilst Supreme Court overturns decision on interim relief in landmark climate change case

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the EU 'Stop the Clock' Directive which entered into force on 17 April 2025, and the recent judgement from the Supreme Court of Norway on the interpretation of the rules on interim measures under the Norwegian Dispute Act.

27/03/2025

WR ESG Alert: Norway follows up on Omnibus-package, whilst the EFTA Court issues advisory opinion on interpretation of EU Water Framework Directive

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight Norway’s follow-up actions in the wake of the EU release of the Omnibus package, the EFTA Court’s recent advisory opinion in the case regarding disposal of mining waste in Førdefjorden, and public consultations on the new ESG Regulation.

26/03/2025

Top ranked across all 20 practice areas in Legal 500

The results from Legal 500 EMEA 2025 is here and we are honoured to be ranked as Tier 1 in the following areas:

20/03/2025

All-time high results in Chambers Europe 2025

We are truly happy about this important and acknowledged recognition. This is a team effort to which the whole of Wikborg Rein has contributed, and we are truly happy with these results!

27/02/2025

EU Omnibus package proposes significant simplifications, while the first Transparency Act penalty is overturned

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the EU Commission's Omnibus package, which proposes significant simplifications to EU legislation on sustainability and human rights. We also describe the overturn of the first infringement penalty issued under the Transparency Act, and the proposed implementation of the EU Regulation on Waste Shipments into Norwegian law.

30/01/2025

WR ESG Alert: New rules on sustainability reporting in Norway, while simplification, postponement and evaluation are on the horizon

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the entry into force of the reporting requirements of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in Norway, and look into the Omnibus Simplification Package and the postponement of the Deforestation Regulation from the EU, as well as a recently published report evaluating the Norwegian Transparency Act.

01/11/2024

WR ESG Alert: Norway commits to implement CBAM, while the first penalty under the Transparency Act is imposed

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the first infringement penalty imposed under the Transparency Act, the implementation of the EU CSRD into Norwegian law, the Norwegian government's decision to implement CBAM into Norwegian law, EU restrictions on a sub-group of PFAS chemicals, and the latest decision from the Borgarting Court of Appeal regarding an injunction appeal from two environmental organisations.

17/10/2024

First infringement penalty for failing to comply with the Transparency Act – and it bites!

The Norwegian Consumer Authority has on 25 September 2024 issued what appears to be the first infringement penalty for a failure to comply with the Norwegian Transparency Act. For not responding to two information requests on time, the Authority has imposed a penalty on a retail company of 450,000 NOK.

27/09/2024

WR ESG Alert: An autumn of public consultations to further sustainability

In this month's ESG alert we describe three recently published public consultations in Norway, relating to (i) a revised CO2 compensation scheme, (ii) amendments to sustainability reporting in auditor and accounting regulations and (iii) the EU's recent Regulation on reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector.

20/09/2024

Real estate transactions and national security

The current geopolitical situation leads to concerns in Norway regarding property acquisitions by buyers with associations to foreign states in strategic sensitive areas.

30/08/2024

WR ESG Alert: EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive implemented into Norwegian law, while other EU sustainability acts enter into force

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive into Norwegian law, the entry into force of the EU Nature Restoration Law, the Revised EU Industrial Emissions Directive and the EU hydrogen and gas decarbonisation package, and the adoption of the European Council's position on the Green Claims Directive.

07/06/2024

WR ESG Alert: Final approval of EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and Net-Zero Industry Act

In this month's ESG alert we note that the EU has adopted the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Net-Zero Industry Act and that the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act has entered into force. In Norway, the Ministry of Children and Families has commenced an evaluation of the Transparency Act one year after the first reporting deadline while various government authorities have issued public consultations relating to different areas of climate legislation.

03/05/2024

WR ESG Alert: Another landmark ruling on climate change and human rights, and rules to protect against forced labour and abusive court proceedings

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the recent landmark climate judgement from the European Court of Human Rights, as well as legislative developments in the EU, including new rules on free allocation of emission allowances, protection of persons who engage in public participation, a revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive, and the approval by the European Parliament of the Forced Labour Regulation.

05/04/2024

WR ESG Alert: Shell appeals landmark climate ruling while EU members agree on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

In this month's ESG alert, we describe Shell's appeal against a landmark climate ruling, the approval by EU members of a revised version of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive as well as recent EU climate initiatives and proposals to align Norwegian climate regulations with EU standards

19/03/2024

EU Council and Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament approves amended draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

On 15 March 2024, the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) of the Council of the European Union (the "Council") surprisingly approved an amended draft of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (the "CS3D"). On 19 March, the amended draft of the CS3D was approved by the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) of the European Parliament.

14/03/2024

Download our Crisis Management app

Wikborg Rein’s Crisis Management Tool is now ready for download. The tool provides practical, immediate and step-by[1]step guidance in case of various types of crises arising as a result of unannounced inspections and controls by the police or other public authorities.

14/03/2024

Wikborg Rein top ranked in Chambers Europe

We are delighted to announce that we have once again achieved top rankings in Chambers Europe in a total of 19 categories, which is more than any other Norwegian law firm.

01/03/2024

WR ESG Alert: The EU Council fails to endorse the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, leaving the future of the Directive hanging in the balance

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight the EU Council's failure to endorse the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the European Parliament's efforts to combat gender-based violence, and provide an update on various environmental developments at the EU and Norwegian levels.

15/02/2024

EU takes steps to empower consumers for the green transition

Shielding consumers from greenwashing and misleading environmental claims constitutes an important aspect of the European Union’s strategy to cultivate a more environmentally sustainable economy. A European Commission study in 2020 revealed that more than 50% of environmental claims within the EU were unclear or misleading, with 40% lacking substantiation.

02/02/2024

WR ESG Alert: Key decisions by Norwegian and French courts relating to the environment and crimes against humanity

In this month's ESG alert, we describe the recent decision by France's highest court which paves the way for charges to be brought against Lafarge for complicity in crimes against humanity and a decision by Oslo District Court which invalidates three Norwegian oil and gas field permits on environmental grounds.

31/01/2024

Working conditions at Turkish yards and the Norwegian Transparency Act

Norwegian media has recently published a number of stories on the alleged poor working conditions at Turkish shipyards. Norwegian shipowners contracting with foreign yards must be prepared to provide information on their efforts to ensure decent working conditions pursuant to the Norwegian Transparency Act.

05/01/2024

WR ESG Alert: EU agreement on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and updates to and expansion of a range of environmental obligations

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight that political agreement has been reached at EU level with respect to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation as well as new rules to strengthen the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. We also describe an expanded scope for sustainability disclosure obligations following a report by the European Supervisory Authorities and revisions to the Norwegian Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Act.

21/12/2023

EU agreement on corporate due diligence rules to safeguard human rights and environment

On 14 December 2023, the European Parliament and the European Council informally agreed on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (the "CS3D" or the "directive") obliging firms to integrate their human rights and environmental impact into their management systems. The directive has been called a historic breakthrough in the way companies are now responsible for potential abuse in their value chain. Subsequent to the negotiations, the Lead MEP said that this was a starting point for shaping the economy of the future.

04/12/2023

Changes to Norway's foreign investment control regime proposed

This week, the Investment Control Commission – appointed by the Norwegian government in 2022 – delivered its report concerning Norway's foreign direct investment laws. The report proposes significant changes to the current system, ostensibly in order to protect national security interests, and would bring Norway's rules on FDI more in line with some of its European neighbours.

30/11/2023

WR ESG Alert: New climate lawsuit against the Norwegian government and expansion of the EU Emissions Trading System

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight that shipping activities have been incorporated into the EU Emissions Trading System, and that provisional agreement has been reached at EU level with respect to the Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU Nature Restoration Law and an EU Regulation to reduce energy sector methane emissions. We also report on the latest climate lawsuit against the Norwegian government.

31/10/2023

WR ESG Alert: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters transitional phase, EU taxonomy news, proposed increase in fines for violations of the Working Environment Act

In this month's ESG alert, we highlight that the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has entered its transitional phase, we note the publication of various recommendations and reports calling for a more environmentally sustainable future and update on public consultations on proposed legislative amendments to the Working Environment Act and the Lawyers Act. We also provide an update on the EU taxonomy and mention Europol's Financial and Economic Crime Threat Assessment.

29/09/2023

WR ESG Alert

We are pleased to announce the launch of our monthly ESG alert service, where we will provide updates on key developments on topics of relevance under the ESG umbrella. The WR ESG alerts intend to offer a focused perspective on environmental and social issues, emphasising material developments and their implications. However, this may not encompass all aspects of the broader ESG spectrum and will generally not cover governance-related updates.

11/04/2023

Proposed amendments to the Norwegian Security Act – expansion of the FDI rules

On Friday 31 March, the Government submitted a bill proposing amendments to the Norwegian Security Act. The proposed changes may mean that far more transactions will be subject to FDI screening, and changes in the procedural rules may have a major impact on deals, not least with respect to deal timetable.

23/02/2023

Sanctions and money laundering on the agenda

On Thursday last week, we kicked off the first anniversary seminar of the year with our Sanctions and Money Laundering Day at the National Museum.

12/12/2022

The year of sanctions – some lessons learnt

The massive and unprecedented sanctions imposed against Russia have required significant efforts to manage the risks and impact of sanctions, particularly in view of creative attempts to circumvent by some parties. In this article we explain why you should update your sanctions clause, and how to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

31/10/2018

Guidance on drafting and interpreting contractual sanctions clauses

In this article, we discuss the first UK case dealing with the scope of a sanctions exclusion clause in the context of the re-imposed US sanctions on Iran and the EU Blocking Regulation. We also provide some pointers for in-house counsel drafting sanctions exclusion clauses.