Trade & Sanctions

A66 Material Testing Contract Opportunity

The UK Government has published a contract notice for material testing services on the A66 Scheme 3a. The contract is valued at £20,000 and has a closing date for bids of March 13, 2026.

UK Government Construction Refurbishment Opportunity

UK Government's Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has published a notice for external refurbishments for 20 properties in Colchester, with an estimated contract value between £870,000 and £4,500,000. This is an open future opportunity, with an approach to market date of 23 March 2026.

UK Government Tender: RO Unit Installation in Cyprus

The UK Government has published a tender notice for the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of a new Brackish Water RO Unit in Cyprus. The contract is valued at approximately £760,000 and has a closing date for expressions of interest on March 13, 2026.

Omnibus I Directive Amends EU Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence

The EU's Omnibus I Directive, amending the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), has been published in the Official Journal. This directive aims to streamline sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations for businesses operating within the EU.

SEC Exempts FPI Directors/Officers from Section 16 Reporting

The SEC issued an order exempting directors and officers of certain foreign private issuers (FPIs) from Section 16 reporting obligations. This exemption applies to FPIs from qualifying jurisdictions with substantially similar regulations and provides relief ahead of the March 18, 2026, reporting deadline.

SEC Exempts FPI Directors and Officers from Section 16 Reporting

The SEC has issued an order exempting directors and officers of certain foreign private issuers (FPIs) from Section 16(a) reporting requirements. This exemption is effective immediately and applies to FPIs incorporated in qualifying jurisdictions with qualifying regulations, ahead of the March 18, 2026 compliance deadline.

Export Control Complexity Grows with Technology and Geopolitics

This article discusses the increasing complexity of export control and sanctions regimes due to technological advancements and geopolitical shifts, using the UK as an example. It highlights that failure to comply with UK export controls can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Importers Eye IEEPA Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Ruling

Following a Supreme Court ruling that President Trump's IEEPA tariffs were unlawful, importers are seeking refunds. The administration plans to complicate the refund process, leaving the Court of International Trade to handle thousands of cases. The CIT has issued an initial order confirming importers' entitlement to refunds.

Court Orders Refund of Invalidated IEEPA Tariffs

The Court of International Trade (CIT) has ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to halt liquidation of invalidated IEEPA tariffs and begin unwinding assessed duties. This broad order in Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States aims to provide relief to all importers of record, including those who did not file their own refund actions.

Force Majeure in Gulf Construction Contracts Amid Iran Conflict

This client alert from King & Spalding discusses force majeure clauses in Gulf construction contracts in response to the Iran conflict. It outlines typical contractual regimes, legal implications, and provides practical advice for employers and contractors facing supply chain and logistical disruptions.