The European Commission referred Poland to the European Union's Court of Justice due to its failure to comply with EU duty exemptions for alcohol imports used in the production of medicine, the EC said in an Oct. 30 news release. Poland’s national practices stipulate that it will not apply the exemption “when the alcohol importers do not choose to use a duty suspension arrangement,” the EC said. The Polish practice “runs against provisions of EU law on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages and the principle of proportionality,” the EC said.

Germany revised and added to its list of items subject to dual-use and military-related export controls, the EU Sanctions blog said Nov. 2. The additions, which took effect Oct. 29, include small firearms and components related to hunting and sports, software specially designed for “military offensive cyber operations,” certain land vehicles with military equipment, equipment relating to radiation weapons systems, and items used at “environmental testing facilities” to evaluate weapons and ammunition.

The European Council and the European Parliament agreed to a regulation amendment that would allow the European Union to “enforce its trade rights” if a trading partner blocks the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement system. The revision, which must be approved by a “qualified majority” of member states, would allow the EU to impose “countermeasures” if a trade partner “imposes illegal trade measures and subsequently blocks the dispute settlement process,” the EU said Oct. 28.

The European Union issued a proposal for its new EU-wide single customs portal, which it said will make it easier for member states to exchange customs information and speed up clearance times. Under the proposal, traders would be required to submit some customs documents in only one location as opposed to submitting “documents to several authorities through different portals,” the EU said Oct. 28.

The United Kingdom on Oct. 27 updated its guidance on the transition of its trade remedies policy after the U.K. leaves the European Union Jan. 1, 2021. The U.K. said it will not maintain EU antidumping measures on imports of certain “steel road wheels” from China because the measure “no longer meets the criteria of the Call for Evidence.”

Turkey recently amended its customs regulations to address situations wherein certificates of origins are not attached to a declaration, KPMG said in an Oct. 20 post. In those situations, the country’s government will allow traders to submit the certificate to the customs authority within six months, KPMG said. The change took effect Oct. 20.

The European Union applauded the ceasefire agreement in Libya but threatened sanctions if the fighting continues or if the United Nations arms embargo against Libya is violated, the EU said Oct. 25. “The European Union and its Member States call on all international and regional actors to support the Libyan efforts unequivocally, refrain from foreign interference in the Libyan conflict and stop the violations of the UN arms embargo,” the EU said. “In this regard, the EU recalls its instrument of sanctions against possible spoilers.” The EU recently designated a Russian businessman for violating the embargo (see 2010150010).

The European Council called on the European Commission to “swiftly” draft a “major crisis contingency plan” for Europe’s freight transportation sector to better respond to crises. The plan should ensure the European Union can maintain cross-border freight transport operations and ensure the free movement as well as the health and safety of transport workers, the council said Oct. 23. It should also include a set of “best-practice” guidelines and a “coherent regulatory framework” to create exemptions for freight transporters when “other major crisis situations arise.”

The United Kingdom on Oct. 20 updated its guidance for European Union businesses seeking to trade with the U.K. after the Brexit transition period ends at the end of this year. The guidance now includes updated sections on buying and selling goods, value-added taxes, and importing animal and plant products. It also covers copyright laws and other legal matters.

The European Union formally announced a joint proposal for an EU-wide human rights sanctions regime, which would give member states “greater flexibility” to target human rights abuses, the European Commission said Oct. 19. The regime is expected to include asset freezes and travel bans, and give the commission oversight of the implementation of certain bans. Although the regime would include new sanctions, it would “not replace existing geographic sanctions regimes,” the commission said, some of which already target human rights violations in countries like Syria, Venezuela and Belarus.