{"id":30473,"date":"2026-01-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kpw.law\/?p=30473"},"modified":"2026-04-14T20:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:46:13","slug":"legal-changes-in-2026-what-companies-need-to-know-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/legal-changes-in-2026-what-companies-need-to-know-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal changes in 2026: What companies need to know now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull v4-pattern-hero v4-pattern-hero--post is-style-background-blend is-style-arrow has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull v4-pattern-hero__cover\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);min-height:75vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img data-dominant-color=\"630a0a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-30475 size-large not-transparent\" alt=\"Rechtliche \u00c4nderungen 2026: Was Unternehmen jetzt wissen m\u00fcssen, EmpCo-Richtlinie, KI-Verordnung, Rechtsanwalt\" src=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rechtliche-Aenderungen-2026-1024x576.jpg\" style=\"--dominant-color: #630a0a; object-position:49% 68%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"49% 68%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rechtliche-Aenderungen-2026-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rechtliche-Aenderungen-2026-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rechtliche-Aenderungen-2026-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rechtliche-Aenderungen-2026-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/Rechtliche-Aenderungen-2026-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-base-background-color has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:5em\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1d4b5d69 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19e250f3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\r\n<h1 id=\"multirow-headline-block_835ffb997fa04317bb77ee45888586d2\" class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline\">\r\n    <div class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline\">\n\n<p class=\"has-gigantic-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\">Legal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-huge-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:15%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\">Changes <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-gigantic-font-size wp-elements-044e67184137679b5dc43180c44dd94c\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\"><span class=\"v4-marker-highlight-background\">in 2026<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div> \r\n<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-small-font-size is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-76c96157 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:italic;font-weight:300;text-transform:uppercase\"><div style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:300;text-transform:uppercase;\" class=\"wp-block-post-date has-small-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2026-01-07T09:00:00+02:00\">7. January 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p>from<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"font-style:italic;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\">Clemens Pfitzer<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c93ec0be wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>The new year also holds many legal changes in store. We present some of the legal changes in 2026. Companies should prepare themselves in good time.  <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ein-jahr-der-umsetzung-neue-pflichten-im-ip-und-it-recht\">A year of implementation: New obligations in IP and IT law<\/h2>\n\n<p>So far, 2026 will not bring any revolutionary new laws, but rather the widespread application of EU directives and regulations that have already been adopted. However, these are quite something.   <\/p>\n\n<p>For companies, this means that the time for preparation is running out. From fall 2026, far-reaching changes in <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/rechtsgebiet\/wettbewerbsrecht\/\">competition law<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/rechtsgebiet\/it-recht\/\">IT law<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/rechtsgebiet\/e-commerce\/\">e-commerce<\/a> will take effect. Those who fail to act now risk <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/thema\/abmahnung\/\">cease and desist letters<\/a>, fines and considerable economic disadvantages.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Competition law: Stricter rules against greenwashing from September<\/h2>\n\n<p>Probably the most drastic change concerns advertising with sustainability and environmental claims. Germany is transposing the <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/thema\/empco-richtlinie\/\">EmpCo Directive<\/a> into national law with the <a href=\"https:\/\/dip.bundestag.de\/vorgang\/drittes-gesetz-zur-%C3%A4nderung-des-gesetzes-gegen-den-unlauteren-wettbewerb\/325533\">Third Act Amending the Unfair Competition Act<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<p>Strict rules <strong>will apply from September 27, 2026<\/strong> for:<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General environmental statements<\/h3>\n\n<p>Terms such as &#8220;environmentally friendly&#8221;, &#8220;sustainable&#8221;, &#8220;green&#8221; or &#8220;climate neutral&#8221; will be banned in future unless companies can demonstrate &#8220;recognized environmental excellence&#8221;. What exactly does that mean? Essentially EU eco-labels such as the EU Ecolabel or the Blue Angel. Vague promises without substance will become a warning trap.   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainability label<\/h3>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/topics\/certification-mark\/\">Certification marks<\/a> and sustainability labels are also under closer scrutiny. Seals are now only permitted if they are based on a transparent and credible certification system that is monitored by independent third parties. Self-developed seals without external control? Inadmissible in future as a matter of principle.   <\/p>\n\n<p>Particularly explosive: <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/faqs-from-the-eu-commission-on-the-empco-directive\/\">In its FAQs on the EmpCo Directive, the EU Commission has<\/a> clarified that protected brand names such as &#8220;EcoClean&#8221; or &#8220;GreenFresh&#8221; can also be considered environmental claims. Trademark protection does not protect against scrutiny under competition law. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CO\u2082 compensation<\/h3>\n\n<p>Claims such as &#8220;climate-neutral thanks to CO\u2082 offsetting&#8221; will become inadmissible in future if they give the impression that the product itself has no or less of an environmental impact. Only genuine reductions in the product&#8217;s own value chain may be advertised. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sanctions<\/h3>\n\n<p>Fines can amount to up to four percent of annual turnover. There is also the risk of warnings from <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/topics\/competitor\/\">competitors<\/a> and consumer protection associations. <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Recommended action:<\/strong> Companies should check all environmental claims, product designs and packaging and sustainability labels now at the latest and adapt them if necessary. The time until September is short, especially if certification systems still need to be set up. There is also no transition period for products manufactured before 27.09.2026, which means that product designs must be changed in advance.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-markenrecht-indirekte-auswirkungen-durch-empco-richtlinie\">Trademark law: Indirect effects through the EmpCo Directive<\/h2>\n\n<p>Even if there are no direct changes to trademark law, the EmpCo Directive has <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/empco-directive-risks-for-trademarks\/\">a significant impact on trademarks with an environmental reference<\/a>. The EU Commission has made it clear: Trademark protection does not protect against scrutiny under competition law. <\/p>\n\n<p>Trademarks such as &#8220;GreenTech&#8221;, &#8220;EcoFresh&#8221; or &#8220;KlimaNeutral&#8221; must meet the strict requirements for environmental claims &#8211; regardless of whether they are registered as trademarks. Otherwise, there is not only the threat of a cease and desist letter under competition law, but also the loss of trademark rights. <\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Recommended action:<\/strong> Companies should check their trademark rights now at the latest to see whether they may be affected by the EmpCo Directive and, if necessary, develop strategies to maintain these trademark rights or replace them with others. There is no transitional period for the validity of the EmpCo Directive for trademarks, so trademark owners should act promptly in order to be prepared for 27.09.2026.    <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ki-verordnung-weitere-teile-des-ai-act-kommen-am-2-august-2026\">AI regulation: Further parts of the AI Act to come on August 2, 2026<\/h2>\n\n<p>The other parts of the <a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/DE\/TXT\/HTML\/?uri=OJ:L_202401689\">EU AI Regulation (AI Act)<\/a> will apply directly in all EU member states from <strong>August 2, 2026<\/strong>, after parts have already come into force. Germany is currently implementing the implementing provisions &#8211; with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bundesnetzagentur.de\/DE\/Fachthemen\/Digitales\/KI\/start_ki.html\">Federal Network Agency as the central coordinating body<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Risk-based approach<\/h3>\n\n<p>The AI Act distinguishes between four categories:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-arrow\">\n<li><strong>Prohibited AI practices<\/strong> (already since February 2, 2025): Social scoring, emotion recognition in the workplace, certain biometric surveillance systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-risk AI systems<\/strong>: Strict requirements for risk management, documentation, transparency and human oversight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AI with transparency obligations<\/strong>: Users must be informed about the use of AI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minimal risks<\/strong>: No special requirements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Compliance requirements<\/h3>\n\n<p>Extensive obligations apply to high-risk AI systems:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Risk assessment and risk mitigation systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High data quality to avoid discriminatory results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Logging of all activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comprehensive technical documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transparency towards users and authorities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sanctions<\/h3>\n\n<p>Violations of the AI Regulation can be expensive:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up to 15 million euros or 3% of global annual turnover for violations of GPAI regulations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up to 7.5 million euros or 1.5% of global annual turnover for false statements to authorities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Recommended action:<\/strong> Companies should identify all AI systems in use, assess them according to risk classes and set up appropriate governance structures. The requirements are complex &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/services\/advice-on-artificial-intelligence\/\">early consultation <\/a>is advisable. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">E-commerce: New obligations for online retailers<\/h2>\n\n<p>There will also be several changes in online retail in 2026:<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Revocation button from June 19, 2026<\/h3>\n\n<p>Online retailers must <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/new-withdrawal-button-2026\/\">provide a clearly visible withdrawal button that is available at all times<\/a>. Customers must be able to withdraw their order directly in the store &#8211; clearly recognizable and without detours. A reference to a contact form or an email address will no longer be sufficient in future.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warranty label from September 27, 2026<\/h3>\n\n<p>Retailers are obliged to <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/eu-guarantee-madness\/\">provide an EU-wide standardized warranty label<\/a>. The labels are provided by the EU in the respective official language and cannot be edited. The aim is to inform consumers about their warranty rights at a glance.  <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EU packaging regulation from August 12, 2026<\/h3>\n\n<p>The new<a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/DE\/TXT\/PDF\/?uri=OJ:L_202500040\"> Packaging Ordinance (PPWR)<\/a> regulates the entire life cycle of packaging and affects manufacturers, retailers, online stores, importers and distributors. Substance restrictions will apply from August 2026: The sum of the concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium must not exceed 100mg per kilogram in packaging. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Law on repair until July 31, 2026<\/h3>\n\n<p>Germany must implement the <a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/DE\/TXT\/PDF\/?uri=OJ:L_202401799\">EU directive on the law on repairs<\/a>by the end of July 2026. Manufacturers of certain product groups must then offer repairs at a &#8220;reasonable price and within a reasonable period of time&#8221;, even after the warranty period has expired. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Product Liability Directive until December 9, 2026<\/h3>\n\n<p>The new <a href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/DE\/TXT\/PDF\/?uri=OJ:L_202402853\">Product Liability Directive <\/a>extends liability to software, AI systems, fulfillment service providers and online platforms. The product definition will be significantly expanded &#8211; digital products will also be covered by strict product liability in future. The directive must be transposed into national law by 09.12.2026.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-datenschutzrecht-geplante-anderungen\">Data protection law: Planned changes<\/h2>\n\n<p>No fundamental changes to <a href=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/en\/fields-of-law\/data-protection-law\/\">data protection law<\/a> are planned for 2026.  <\/p>\n\n<p>However, the German government is planning to amend the Federal Data Protection Act (Federal Data Protection Act 8bdsg9) by the end of 2026: the obligation to appoint data protection officers in the non-public sector is to be limited to the EU requirements under Art. 37 GDPR. This would mean that fewer companies would need a data protection officer in future. <\/p>\n\n<p>At European level, the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu\/de\/faqs\/digital-package\">Digital Omnibus Package<\/a>&#8221; is being discussed to reduce bureaucracy and clarify the GDPR &#8211; but concrete changes are not expected until 2027 at the earliest.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fazit\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns v4-pattern-text-copy-half-col is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>2026 is above all a year of implementation. Companies should use the remaining time to adapt their processes, communication strategies and technical systems. The requirements are complex, the penalties severe.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether competition law, the EmpCo Directive, the AI Regulation or e-commerce obligations &#8211; our team of specialized attorneys will support you in implementing the new requirements in a legally compliant manner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide v4-pattern-cta-box has-secondary-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a7c0d175 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide are-vertically-aligned-top v4-pattern-cta-box__columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-ec2e7a44 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-bce6ca70 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-content-justification-right is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5c12a1d1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\r\n<div id=\"multirow-headline-block_126eaa5d88b9dd970aa86c2f78b049f5\" class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline alignwide\">\r\n    <div class=\"wp-block-visual4-multirow-headline\">\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-huge-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase\">We are happy to<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-x-large-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:8%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:0.9;text-transform:uppercase\">advise you on<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-huge-font-size\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-right:0;margin-bottom:0;margin-left:0%;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-style:normal;font-weight:1000;line-height:0.9;text-transform:uppercase\">Legal changes!<\/p>\n\n<\/div> \r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5c3c14bb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-visual4-contact-modal__button\">\r\n            \r\n        <div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\r\n            \r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-button v4-contact-modal-button is-style-fill\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\" data-form-id=\"8\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-contrast-color has-base-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\">Contact form<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        \r\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-style-mobile-only is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fc4fd283 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-arrow is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:4971141019030\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Call now!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column--image is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full v4-pattern-cta-box__columns-column__image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kpw.law\/wp-content\/themes\/kpw-law\/assets\/samples\/person-cropped.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23155\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Legal changes in 2026: EmpCo directive tightens greenwashing rules from September, AI Act applies from August. New e-commerce obligations for retailers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4904,1],"tags":[5293,5983],"thema":[5985],"rechtsgebiet":[4987,4940,5013,5012,4898],"produkt":[],"class_list":["post-30473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","category-unkategorisiert","tag-ai","tag-empco","thema-empco-directive","rechtsgebiet-competition-law","rechtsgebiet-data-protection-law","rechtsgebiet-e-commerce-en","rechtsgebiet-it-law","rechtsgebiet-markenrecht-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Legal changes in 2026: What companies need to do now<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Legal changes in 2026: EmpCo directive tightens greenwashing rules from September, AI Act applies from August. 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