Interpreting the EU’s Toolbox Episode 7: The EU’s Sanctions Framework

Although European-level sanctions have been in place since the 1980s, their relevance as a foreign policy instrument has increased hand in hand with their number in the past years, in particular following the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. With more than 5000 individuals and entities currently listed, the EU’s sanctions framework is one of the world’s largest and most developed. At the same time, the complexity of this framework can create challenges for companies, particularly smaller ones, operating both in the EU and in other jurisdictions. These challenges can range from high financial and non-financial costs associated with compliance to a lack of resources and expertise when it comes to due diligence processes.

The EU SME Centre, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the EU Delegation to China, and the EU Sanctions Helpdesk are pleased to invite you to our Interpreting the EU’s Toolbox episode 7: The EU’s Sanctions Framework.* The event will take place online on Friday 19 September from 15:30 to 17:00 (China Standard Time) / 9:30 to 11:00 AM (Central European Time).

During this session, experts from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Financial Services and Capital Markets will provide an overview of the EU’s sanctions framework, including the most recent updates on relevant sanctions listings. Experts from the EU Sanctions Helpdesk will also present the services of the Helpdesk and share practical advice and tips on compliance for businesses.

*In the past few years, the EU has been revamping its regulatory toolbox in order to better address economic, geopolitical, technological and climate challenges. This expanding toolbox includes instruments aimed at combatting economic distortions and creating a level-playing field in the Single Market, ensuring reciprocity with third countries in areas like procurement and combatting coercive actions initiated by those countries, fostering sustainable processes and preventing carbon leakage among industry players. As a number of these regulations will impact the China operations of European companies, the EU SME Centre and the European Chamber, together with the EU Delegation to China, brings to you the Interpreting the EU’s Toolbox Series, where experts provide an overview of the instruments that are being rolled out.

Agenda

About the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China was founded in 2000 by 51 member companies that shared a goal of establishing a common voice for the various business sectors of the European Union and European businesses operating in China. It is a members-driven, non-profit, fee-based organisation with a core structure of 30 Working Groups and 12 Fora representing European business in China. The European Chamber now has more than 1,700 members in 7 chapters operating in 9 cities: Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenyang, South China (Guangzhou and Shenzhen), Southwest China (Chengdu, Chongqing) and Tianjin. Each chapter is managed at the local level by local boards reporting directly to the Executive Committee.

The Chamber is recognised by the European Commission and the Chinese Authorities as the official voice of European business in China. It is recognised as a Foreign Chamber of Commerce with the Ministry of Commerce and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

The European Chamber is part of the growing network of European Business Organisations (EBO). This network connects European business associations and chambers of commerce located in over 50 third markets around the world.

About the EU Delegation to China

The Delegation of the European Union to China (the Delegation) represents all the institutions of the European Union. The Delegation was established in Beijing in October 1988 and has full diplomatic privileges and immunities, with the Head of Delegation accorded ambassadorial status.

The Delegation is responsible for conducting official relations between China and the European Union competences. In all matters pertaining to the European Union, the Delegation works closely with the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States, particularly the one representing the Presidency of the Council of the EU, which changes every six months.

The Delegation is a natural point of contact between the EU and the Chinese authorities, as well as other interlocutors in China. However, it does not deal with trade promotion, consular matters or other issues that have traditionally been handled by the Member States’ embassies, consulates, trade agencies or national tourism offices. 

The EU Delegation keeps abreast the European External Action Service, the European Commission and other EU institutions on significant political, economic and other developments in China and facilitates the operation and development of bilateral cooperation agreements.

About the EU Sanctions Helpdesk

The EU Sanctions Helpdesk is an essential piece of the European Union’s efforts to help European operators, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), in complying with EU sanctions across the world.

The heart of the Helpdesk is the Support Service, which offers personalised help to companies performing sanctions due diligence checks. The Helpdesk team also manages this website, creating and hosting sanctions-related information, event news, tips, lessons learned, and more.  

All UN and autonomous EU restrictive measures (sanctions) are covered by the Helpdesk. 

Created in 2025, the Helpdesk is implemented on behalf of the European Commission by an external service provider, as part of the project “Support to EU SMEs on EU Sanctions Due Diligence” (NDICI FPN FPI 2023 / 449-650), which is funded by the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and managed under the auspices of the Directorate General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA).