ACSS Benelux: EU Sanctions Requirements: Latest Changes & Practical Impacts

Wednesday, Apr 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM CEST

Thon Hotel EU, Rue de la Loi 75 B, Bruxelles, Bruxelles, 1040, Belgium

1. Select Seats

2. Review and Proceed

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Wednesday, Apr 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM CEST

Thon Hotel EU, Rue de la Loi 75 B, Bruxelles, Bruxelles, 1040, Belgium.

Please join us at our next ACSS Benelux Chapter on 23 April for an insightful session on EU Sanctions & Export Controls, hosted by Acquis EU Law & Policy in Brussels.

This event will provide an inside look into the practical challenges that sanctions and export controls professionals could face in 2025 and how to be ready for them! Attendees will also have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations and share knowledge over drinks and nibbles during our networking session.

Don’t miss the change to stay ahead of the curve and connect with your fellow colleagues in Brussels!

Topics to be Discussed:

The latest amendments to the EU sanctions regulations: EU 15th and 16th package, with the main focus on the following topics:

 New compliance requirements: best effort obligation; Risk assessment for companies dealing in High Priority Items

  • Increasing extraterritorial nature of sanctions in the latest sanctions packages (designation of foreign (non-Russian) financial institutions and other companies)

  • Ban on transactions with certain Russian ports and airports – implication for European businesses

Agenda:

15:00 - 15:20: Registration & Welcome

15:20 - 15:40: Introduction from Acquis and ACSS as well as Chapter Update from our Chapter Chair


15:40 - 16:40: Speaker presentations: 

Valerijus Ostrovskis | Managing Partner | Acquis EU Law & Policy

Sofia Bournou | Senior Adviser International Relations Department | Business Europe 

Frederik van Essen | Senior Legal and Compliance Expert | EU Sanctions Helpdesk

 

16:40 - 17:00: Interactive Q&A

 

16:40 - 17:00: Interactive Q&A


17:00 - 18:00: Networking over drinks and nibbles

____________________________________________________

Certificates of Attendance for Chapter Events:


All ACSS members who attend Chapter Events will be identified and issued a Certificate of Attendance through our system. Certificates can be used to earn ACSS credits, which contribute to recertification and eligibility for ACSS certification.

CSS/CXS Points | Practical Challenges in Complying with New 2025 Obligations; 1.75

Attending ACSS events may also be eligible for other C.E. credits. Please contact our Helpdesk at sanctionsassociation.org for more information.

Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists

www.sanctionsassociation.org

The Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS) is the premier global organization dedicated to advancing the professional knowledge and skills of sanctions and export control practitioners. ACSS is committed to offering top-tier training programs, including the Certified Sanctions Specialist (CSS) credential, which serves as the benchmark for professionals in this field. Our mission is to set and uphold standards for the sanctions profession, provide globally recognized qualifications, and build a vibrant, interconnected community of professionals worldwide. ACSS promotes the importance of sanctions compliance by delivering authoritative and respected content, serving the professional interests of our members, and enhancing their career paths. We aim to be the leading voice advocating for sanctions professionals, with a commitment to fostering best practices and safeguarding global trade and financial systems. Sanctions, as defined by leading experts, are the intentional withdrawal or threat of withdrawal of customary trade and financial relations by a government to influence the policies of a target country. This definition reflects the core understanding of economic sanctions and guides the mission of ACSS in shaping effective, compliant practices across industries globally.

Contact the Organizer

Valerijus Ostrovskis
Managing Partner
Acquis EU Law & Policy

Valerijus also regularly represents clients in cases involving complex legal questions of EU law before the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Commission. He also advises and represents clients from a wide range of sectors, including technology, transport, tobacco, banking and finance and manufacturing, chemicals and fertilizers – in EU legislative and policy-making processes. He has designed designs and contributed to new models of corporate and foreign government representation in Brussels, including the setting up and management of various business councils and industry associations and federations, amongst other things.

Valerijus holds an LL.M degree in Law and Economics from the University of Rotterdam and the University of Bologna, and a Masters of Law degree from the Vilnius University.

He is a qualified lawyer and member of the Lithuanian Bar Association and the of Brussels Bar (E-list).

He is fluent in English, Russian, Lithuanian, Spanish, Italian and French.

About Valerijus Ostrovskis

Managing Partner
Acquis EU Law & Policy
Sofia Bournou
Senior Adviser International Relations Department
Business Europe

Sofia Bournou joined BusinessEurope's International Relations department in July 2011. She is responsible for EU-Russia relations and relations between the EU and neighbouring countries (Eastern Partnership, South-Mediterranean and accession countries).

She is also responsible for market access policies, including international investment policy, raw materials policies and international public procurement instruments. Her responsibilities also include export controls and sanctions regimes as well as WTO issues.

Before joining BusinessEurope, she completed a traineeship at the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development (September 2010 – February 2011) and, as a part of her bachelor studies, internships at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for Latin America and the Caribbean (September - December 2007) and the Ministry of Development, Section for Energy (January 2008 – April 2008).

She graduated in 2010 from the London School of Economics with a Master of Science in local economic development and from the University of Pireaus in 2008 with a Bachelor degree in international and European studies, major in international and European economics. Sofia is Greek and speaks English and French fluently.


About Sofia Bournou

Senior Adviser International Relations Department
Business Europe
Frederik van Essen
Senior Legal and Compliance Expert
EU Sanctions Helpdesk

Frederik is Senior Legal and Compliance Expert for the EU Sanctions Helpdesk. Prior to starting his legal advisory firm, Frederik worked in legal consultancy, advising clients on export controls, sanctions, and data protection, and also served as EMA Trade Compliance Manager for a US machinery manufacturing multinational.

He is a certified member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).


About Frederik van Essen

Senior Legal and Compliance Expert
EU Sanctions Helpdesk

Sponsors

About Acquis EU Law & Policy

https://www.acquislp.eu/ Sponsor Logo

Sessions on Apr 23, 2025

03:00 PM

Registration & Welcome

03:00 PM - 03:20 PM
03:20 PM

Welcome Remarks

03:20 PM - 03:40 PM
03:40 PM

Speaker presentations

03:40 PM - 04:40 PM
    Valerijus Ostrovskis
    Managing PartnerAcquis EU Law & Policy

    Valerijus also regularly represents clients in cases involving complex legal questions of EU law before the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Commission. He also advises and represents clients from a wide range of sectors, including technology, transport, tobacco, banking and finance and manufacturing, chemicals and fertilizers – in EU legislative and policy-making processes. He has designed designs and contributed to new models of corporate and foreign government representation in Brussels, including the setting up and management of various business councils and industry associations and federations, amongst other things.

    Valerijus holds an LL.M degree in Law and Economics from the University of Rotterdam and the University of Bologna, and a Masters of Law degree from the Vilnius University.

    He is a qualified lawyer and member of the Lithuanian Bar Association and the of Brussels Bar (E-list).

    He is fluent in English, Russian, Lithuanian, Spanish, Italian and French.

    Sofia Bournou
    Senior Adviser International Relations DepartmentBusiness Europe

    Sofia Bournou joined BusinessEurope's International Relations department in July 2011. She is responsible for EU-Russia relations and relations between the EU and neighbouring countries (Eastern Partnership, South-Mediterranean and accession countries).

    She is also responsible for market access policies, including international investment policy, raw materials policies and international public procurement instruments. Her responsibilities also include export controls and sanctions regimes as well as WTO issues.

    Before joining BusinessEurope, she completed a traineeship at the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development (September 2010 – February 2011) and, as a part of her bachelor studies, internships at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for Latin America and the Caribbean (September - December 2007) and the Ministry of Development, Section for Energy (January 2008 – April 2008).

    She graduated in 2010 from the London School of Economics with a Master of Science in local economic development and from the University of Pireaus in 2008 with a Bachelor degree in international and European studies, major in international and European economics. Sofia is Greek and speaks English and French fluently.


    Frederik van Essen
    Senior Legal and Compliance ExpertEU Sanctions Helpdesk

    Frederik is Senior Legal and Compliance Expert for the EU Sanctions Helpdesk. Prior to starting his legal advisory firm, Frederik worked in legal consultancy, advising clients on export controls, sanctions, and data protection, and also served as EMA Trade Compliance Manager for a US machinery manufacturing multinational.

    He is a certified member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).


    04:40 PM

    Interactive Q&A

    04:40 PM - 05:00 PM
      Valerijus Ostrovskis
      Managing PartnerAcquis EU Law & Policy

      Valerijus also regularly represents clients in cases involving complex legal questions of EU law before the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Commission. He also advises and represents clients from a wide range of sectors, including technology, transport, tobacco, banking and finance and manufacturing, chemicals and fertilizers – in EU legislative and policy-making processes. He has designed designs and contributed to new models of corporate and foreign government representation in Brussels, including the setting up and management of various business councils and industry associations and federations, amongst other things.

      Valerijus holds an LL.M degree in Law and Economics from the University of Rotterdam and the University of Bologna, and a Masters of Law degree from the Vilnius University.

      He is a qualified lawyer and member of the Lithuanian Bar Association and the of Brussels Bar (E-list).

      He is fluent in English, Russian, Lithuanian, Spanish, Italian and French.

      Sofia Bournou
      Senior Adviser International Relations DepartmentBusiness Europe

      Sofia Bournou joined BusinessEurope's International Relations department in July 2011. She is responsible for EU-Russia relations and relations between the EU and neighbouring countries (Eastern Partnership, South-Mediterranean and accession countries).

      She is also responsible for market access policies, including international investment policy, raw materials policies and international public procurement instruments. Her responsibilities also include export controls and sanctions regimes as well as WTO issues.

      Before joining BusinessEurope, she completed a traineeship at the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development (September 2010 – February 2011) and, as a part of her bachelor studies, internships at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for Latin America and the Caribbean (September - December 2007) and the Ministry of Development, Section for Energy (January 2008 – April 2008).

      She graduated in 2010 from the London School of Economics with a Master of Science in local economic development and from the University of Pireaus in 2008 with a Bachelor degree in international and European studies, major in international and European economics. Sofia is Greek and speaks English and French fluently.


      Frederik van Essen
      Senior Legal and Compliance ExpertEU Sanctions Helpdesk

      Frederik is Senior Legal and Compliance Expert for the EU Sanctions Helpdesk. Prior to starting his legal advisory firm, Frederik worked in legal consultancy, advising clients on export controls, sanctions, and data protection, and also served as EMA Trade Compliance Manager for a US machinery manufacturing multinational.

      He is a certified member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).


      05:00 PM

      Networking over drinks and nibbles

      05:00 PM - 06:00 PM