Press Review - Week of 20 October 2025

Press Review – Week of 20 October 2025

This week’s press review covers the formal notice issued to Airbus Atlantic by the French Human Rights League (LDH) for failing to comply with regulations on chromium VI emissions and for not establishing a vigilance plan for 2025. It also covers China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has led to the removal of several senior military officials during the 4th Plenum in Beijing. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has additionally sanctioned one-third of the businesses inspected for the sale of second-hand or refurbished products. Finally, several European media outlets have reported multiple corruption cases within the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the Alliance’s logistics.

#White collar crime:

Press Release: Formal Notice to AIRBUS ATLANTIC

The Ligue des Droits de l’Homme (LDH) has issued a formal notice to Airbus Atlantic for failing to comply with the French law of March 27, 2017, due to the absence of a vigilance plan for 2025. A risk assessment included in the company’s 2024 annual report revealed exceedances in the permitted thresholds for the use of chromium VI — a carcinogenic substance — and the lack of compliant filtration system on the paint booths at the Saint-Nazaire and Montoir-de-Bretagne. Despite multiple exceedances, Airbus Atlantic has failed to inform the public. The LDH demands rapid compliance and is considering legal action if violations persist. A local environmental monitoring plan has also been requested. > Read article

“Party’s determination to fight corruption”: China’s communist regime purges the army.

At the opening of the 4th plenum in Beijing, several high-ranking military officials were were dismissed as part of an anti-corruption campaign. This “clean sweep” within the military command aims to modernize the People’s Liberation Army, while revealing internal resistance. The disappearances and purges reflecting growing internal tensions, signal a renewed tightening of control by the central authorities, amid a tug-of-war with the United States and economic negotiations in Asia. > Read article

#Competition and consumer law enforcement:

Fraud Control Authority Sanctions One-Third of Second-Hand and Refurbished Goods Sellers It Inspected

On October 21, the French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) announced that it had sanctioned one-third of the more than 300 establishments inspected in 2024 for selling second-hand or refurbished products. Two investigations covering different product categories revealed numerous breaches, particularly regarding the legal guarantee of conformity, which is often presented to consumers in a misleading manner. The DGCCRF noted that this legal guarantee is often presented to consumers in a misleading way. It also identified deficiencies in data erasure procedures for refurbished devices, as well as inadequate consumer information about the condition of the products. > Read article

#Anti-Bribery and Corruption:

Bribes, investigations, arrests… What is this corruption scandal within NATO?

On October 21, several European media outlets revealed allegations of corruption within NATO. The investigation targets the NSPA, the Alliance’s logistics and procurement agency, where former officials turned into consultants are suspected of having facilitated military contracts in exchange for financial compensation. These practices, estimated at several million euros, led to more than ten arrests in seven countries between February and May 202. NATO’s internal procurement procedures are being criticized as opaque and poorly supervised. Investigations into the NSPA’s leadership are still ongoing. > Read article