Word of welcome & introduction

Sven-Michael Werner, Partner, Bird & Bird Shanghai

Growing ESG requirements for the automotive industry: An overview of recent developments in Europe and China.

Both in Europe and in China, automotive companies are required to comply with an increasing body of ESG regulations. Lawrence Freeman (formerly European counsel at Tesla) and his Chinese colleague Aubrey Tao will update you on recent developments including the new EU Batteries Regulation, the new vehicle CO2 emissions targets, PRC’s “carbon peak and carbon neutral” strategy and the new voluntary carbon trading scheme.

Lawrence Freeman, Senior Counsel, Bird & Bird Brussels

Aubrey Tao, Senior Associate, Bird & Bird Shanghai

Impact of the German Supply Chain Act on automotive suppliers in China.

The German Supply Chain Act imposes various human rights and environmental due diligence obligations on companies based in Germany with respect to their supply chains. As a result, German companies pass on these obligations to companies in their supply chain through contractual agreements. We provide an overview of the specific obligations under the Supply Chain Act and how they may affect Chinese automotive suppliers.

Miriam Richter, Partner, Bird & Bird Munich

Serena Du, Senior Associate, Bird & Bird Shanghai

 In-vehicle data

One of the most hotly debated questions in automotive circles in Europe is whether OEMs must give other market players (such as repair and maintenance providers, car sharing companies and insurers) access to data generated by their vehicles.

Chinese regulators impose higher standards of requirements for companies that process sensitive personal information as well as the so-called important data and geographic mapping data.

Our team will give an update on the state of play in Europe and China and will discuss in particular the impact of the EU Data Act, the planned EU regulation on access to in-vehicle data and specific requirements for certain data processing activities in China.

Stephan Waldheim, Partner, Bird & Bird Düsseldorf

James Gong, Partner, Bird & Bird Beijing

 Q&A

Facilitators

Sven-Michael Werner, Partner, Bird & Bird Shanghai

Sarah Zeng, Partner, Bird & Bird Beijing