Max Köhn von Wedelstedt

The EU is significantly expanding the information requirements regarding warranty rights and guarantees in the retail sector. From 27 September 2026, online and high-street retailers must use standardised model notices (‘harmonised notice’ and – under strict conditions – a guarantee label).

An analysis of the Covid-19 support schemes is now making it increasingly clear that many of the demands for repayment are not simply a reflection of sound budgetary management, but the result of legally questionable tightening of the rules, unclear decisions and hastily conducted mass proceedings. Courts in North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg have set clear limits for the authorities. Whilst other federal states are responding politically to this development, Berlin has so far stuck to a hardline and non-transparent approach.

Access controls via facial scanning, age verification in e-commerce, voice recognition in customer service, or emotion analysis in video calls – there are many practical applications for biometric systems in business. Artificial intelligence (AI) makes many of these systems better, faster and more effective. But the use of AI in conjunction with biometric data is not only drawing the attention of data protection authorities – against the backdrop of the AI Regulation (AI-VO), many companies are faced with the question: Which biometric applications are prohibited under the AI-VO, which are considered high-risk, and when do ‘mere’ transparency obligations apply?

The “Green Deal” – personally announced by Ms von der Leyen in 2019 – promised great things: climate neutrality by 2050, emissions trading and billions in financial support. Now, the “Empowering Consumers” Directive (EmpCo, 2024/825) marks another milestone in the fight against climate change. At least, that is how the Commission sees it. In addition to banning misleading green claims, the directive sets out comprehensive new information requirements for traders. These are to be transposed into national law by March 2026 and will apply from the end of September 2026. Specifically, for the purpose of informing consumers, this concerns information on statutory warranty rights and voluntary manufacturer guarantees.

Access control via facial scanning, age classification in e-commerce, voice recognition in customer service, or emotion analysis in video calls – there are many applications for biometric systems in business practice. Artificial intelligence (AI) makes many of these systems better, faster, and more effective. But the use of AI with biometric data not only raises concerns among data protectionists – against the backdrop of the AI Regulation (AI-VO), many companies are asking themselves: Which biometric applications are prohibited under the AI-VO, which are considered high-risk, and when do "only" transparency obligations apply?

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has far-reaching impacts on all areas of life. The European Union (EU) has recognized that an appropriate legal framework is necessary to ensure the responsible use of AI and aims to be a leader in trustworthiness as well as innovation. For this reason, the AI Act has been enacted. The regulation, which has direct effect in the member states, sets clear rules and standards for dealing with AI models, AI systems, and AI content.