GERMANY

German Court Rules on Selective Distribution Systems Concerning Luxury Cosmetics

27 July 2018

In the recent publication of a ruling dated 6 March 2018, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf held that Japanese luxury cosmetics manufacturer Kanebo has a valid intellectual property (IP)-based claim against German retail chain Real, to stop selling goods under its brands Kanebo and Sensai both online and in stores EU-wide. In consequence, the Court prohibited online and offline sales by Real of Kanebo’s luxury cosmetics. More

hktdc research

Product Registration under Revised WEEE Rules Launched in Germany

01 June 2018

New German rules on the registration of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) considerably widen the scope of the products which have to be registered. From 15 August 2018 onwards, all EEE falls within the scope of application unless it is explicitly excluded by a statutory exemption. More

first person

Digital and Different

07 May 2018

I founded my first coaching and consulting company in Germany in 2011 and I moved my business to Hong Kong in 2014. More

venture hong kong

Owning the Experience

17 April 2018

Launched in 2016 and 2017 respectively, the German brand’s two car-sharing services – Audi at home and Audi on demand – enable car enthusiasts to live greener by enjoying a driving experience only when they choose to, without having to own the vehicle. More

hktdc research

Smart Toys Pose Risks Related to the Capturing of Personal Data, Claims Report Issued by German Ministry

23 February 2018

The German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (the Ministry) has issued an announcement drawing attention to data protection concerns raised by increasingly popular smart toys. According to the Ministry, the defining characteristic of smart toys – their ability to interact with a user – is what makes them exciting as well as dangerous. More

life & style

Season of Scents and Blooms

09 February 2018

Flowers are highly representative in Chinese culture, and particularly so around the Lunar New Year, the most important festival of the year. More

hktdc research

German Authorities Organise Annual “Blue Angel Campaign Day” to Help Consumers Make “Greener” Purchasing Decisions

15 December 2017

On 25 October 2017, the German Federal Environment Ministry, the German Federal Environment Agency and two independent label-awarding agencies jointly organised an annual “Blue Angel campaign day”. So as to celebrate a growing product variety covered by the label, they organised different activities to raise awareness, especially with regard to plastics recycling and the avoidance of microplastic pollution. More

hktdc research

German NGO Denounces Inadequate WEEE Collection Systems and Insufficient Market Surveillance Concerning Energy Labelling

17 November 2017

Environmental Action Germany (Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. – DUH), a non-governmental environmental and consumer protection organisation, has investigated recovery systems for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). More

hktdc research

The EU: Surviving Populism, Tackling Income Inequality

17 August 2017

While populist calls for protectionist policies, largely inspired by perceived income inequality and a misunderstanding of the potential benefits of globalisation, have become an issue across the world, the EU has suffered more than most. The Union, however, may now be on the brink of embracing a more forward-looking approach to trade reform. More

hktdc research

Europe’s Elections: Indications of a Positive Trade Outcome

15 August 2017

Euroscepticism has been concerning the EU even before the UK voted to leave the bloc in June 2016. However, the failure of anti-EU nationalist movements to win power in the Netherlands and France, and the expected victory of the pro-EU camp in the upcoming German elections may be an indicator that any populist insurgency has now run its course, which could buy more time for the EU to bring in forward-looking reforms. More

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