In this episode of Covington’s Life Sciences Audiocast, Seán Finan and Rosa Oyarzabal discuss some important recent developments in the regulation of sustainability and green claims and labelling schemes, and the ever-increasing enforcement risk that comes with greenwashing.

Photo of Seán Finan Seán Finan

Seán Finan is an associate in the Life Sciences team. His practice covers environmental, food and beverage and pharmaceutical regulation.

Seán has specific experience in a number of key areas for EU and UK clients in the technology, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic…

Seán Finan is an associate in the Life Sciences team. His practice covers environmental, food and beverage and pharmaceutical regulation.

Seán has specific experience in a number of key areas for EU and UK clients in the technology, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and consumer goods industries, including:

  • Environmental and ESG compliance issues, including CSRD, CSDDD and green taxonomy issues; green public procurement issues; extended producer responsibility obligations, etc.;
  • Advertising claims, particularly environmental claims and greenwashing;
  • General food regulation; novel food regulation; genetically modified and “precision bred” products; and
  • Chemicals legislation (REACH, CLP, biocides, etc.).

Seán has represented clients in judicial review actions involving novel foods against multiple national regulators.

Seán is qualified in both England & Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.

Seán is a co lead of the firm’s Disability and Mental Health affinity group.

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Photo of Rosa Oyarzabal Rosa Oyarzabal

Rosa Oyarzabal Arigita is an associate in the Life Sciences team. She assists clients across a range of regulatory, legal and procedural matters in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, and her practice focuses on EU and Spanish regulatory advice.

Rosa has acquired significant…

Rosa Oyarzabal Arigita is an associate in the Life Sciences team. She assists clients across a range of regulatory, legal and procedural matters in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, and her practice focuses on EU and Spanish regulatory advice.

Rosa has acquired significant experience in the pharmaceutical advertising space, both at EU level as well in Member States such as Spain and Belgium. She is also familiar with the EU food and advertising rules, and regularly advises clients in the plant-based sector on these topics. As part of her practice, Rosa also assists clients with the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the access and benefit sharing rules of a number of jurisdictions.

Rosa has assisted in multiple litigations in front of the European Court of Justice, including as part of pro bono efforts. For example, Rosa plead in front of the Court of Justice for case C-356/21, concerning the rights of LGBTQIA+ self-employed persons to not be discriminated against when contracting with another party and during the performance of their activities.

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