Vassilis Akritidis
Overview
To maximize trade-related benefits, get customs advice, or ensure robust representation before the European Commission and EU courts in trade and EU matters, clients turn to Vassilis Akritidis and his team for clear advice and dedication to a positive result. Beyond disputes, proactive compliance and proper corporate governance are essential for success. Vassilis organizes compliance training programs for executives to ensure smooth and cost-effective navigation through the complex web of EU and World Trade Organization regulations.
Career & Education
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, B.A., law, 1988
- Institute for European Studies, Brussels, M.A., European Union law, 1991
- Belgium
- European Court
- Greece (Athens)
Professional Activities and Memberships
- President of the Belgian-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce since 2008
- Served as a non-executive board member in an industrial development bank and manufacturing companies
- English
- French
- Greek
According to a client, Vassilis Akritidis is ‘highly experienced and competent in his field, flexible, fully reliable and dedicated to his clients.’
— Chambers Global, International Trade/WTO - Europe-wide, 2022
Vassilis's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.06.25
On 26 February 2025, the Commission proposed a sustainability simplifications package, commonly referred to as the Omnibus package. Among the sustainability reporting and due diligence provisions, the Omnibus package would also bring about changes to the EU’s unilateral environmental measure, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). CBAM entered into application in its transitional phase in October 2023 and is now halfway towards its definitive implementation. The proposed deregulation brings about improvements in several CBAM areas, including scope, and reporting and procedural requirements. In this alert, we outline those suggested amendments that are likely to be of most importance to businesses involved in trading in CBAM goods.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 03.04.25
Coalition of the Willing: EU and UK, but Not the US, Impose New Russia Sanctions
Firm News | 3 min read | 02.18.25
Chambers Ranks Crowell & Moring Practices and Lawyers in 2025 Global Guide
Press Coverage | 02.08.25
EU prepares to use instrument against Trump's trade blackmail and 'techno-caste'
Representative Matters
- Represented Cerame-Unie, the European ceramic products’ confederation, in several trade defence complaints before the European Commission and before the European Courts.
- Represented Viraj Profiles Private Limited, the world’s largest stainless steel long products manufacturer, in about a dozen EU trade defence investigations, national and EU customs disputes, and litigation before the European Courts.
- Represented Maxim Tubes Pvt., Ltd., India’s largest stainless steel seamless tubes and pipes exporter, in a high-profile OLAF and EPPO investigation on origin, involving 17 EU Member States.
- Represented a major multinational producing car parts in EU trade defence proceedings.
- Represented major EU steel mills in US Dept. of Commerce antidumping investigations.
- Advised a multitude of manufacturers, service providers, financial institutions and transport/logistics operators, including large multinationals, on the application of EU trade sanctions, in particular against the Russian Federation.
- Advised several European, US and Asian clients on EU export control matters.
- Represented several companies and natural persons before OLAF and the EPPO.
- Advising a major multinational on the upcoming EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation.
Vassilis's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.06.25
On 26 February 2025, the Commission proposed a sustainability simplifications package, commonly referred to as the Omnibus package. Among the sustainability reporting and due diligence provisions, the Omnibus package would also bring about changes to the EU’s unilateral environmental measure, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). CBAM entered into application in its transitional phase in October 2023 and is now halfway towards its definitive implementation. The proposed deregulation brings about improvements in several CBAM areas, including scope, and reporting and procedural requirements. In this alert, we outline those suggested amendments that are likely to be of most importance to businesses involved in trading in CBAM goods.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 03.04.25
Coalition of the Willing: EU and UK, but Not the US, Impose New Russia Sanctions
Firm News | 3 min read | 02.18.25
Chambers Ranks Crowell & Moring Practices and Lawyers in 2025 Global Guide
Press Coverage | 02.08.25
EU prepares to use instrument against Trump's trade blackmail and 'techno-caste'
Recognition
- Chambers Global, Europe-wide: International Trade/WTO, Band 3, 2009–Present
Vassilis's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.06.25
On 26 February 2025, the Commission proposed a sustainability simplifications package, commonly referred to as the Omnibus package. Among the sustainability reporting and due diligence provisions, the Omnibus package would also bring about changes to the EU’s unilateral environmental measure, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). CBAM entered into application in its transitional phase in October 2023 and is now halfway towards its definitive implementation. The proposed deregulation brings about improvements in several CBAM areas, including scope, and reporting and procedural requirements. In this alert, we outline those suggested amendments that are likely to be of most importance to businesses involved in trading in CBAM goods.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 03.04.25
Coalition of the Willing: EU and UK, but Not the US, Impose New Russia Sanctions
Firm News | 3 min read | 02.18.25
Chambers Ranks Crowell & Moring Practices and Lawyers in 2025 Global Guide
Press Coverage | 02.08.25
EU prepares to use instrument against Trump's trade blackmail and 'techno-caste'
Insights
- |
October, 2023
Global Trade and Customs Journal (subscription required)
Trade Defence Instruments for European producers: the AD questionnaire
|02.17.22
IBJ/IJE Partnerblog
EU prepares to use instrument against Trump's trade blackmail and 'techno-caste'
|02.08.25
El Diario
Continuing To Do Business In Russia Carries Risks, But So Does Decoupling, Lawyers Say
|04.25.22
Export Compliance Daily
New EU/UK Restrictions on Russian-origin Iron and Steel Products
|09.29.23
Crowell & Moring’s International Trade Law
Practices
Vassilis's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 03.06.25
On 26 February 2025, the Commission proposed a sustainability simplifications package, commonly referred to as the Omnibus package. Among the sustainability reporting and due diligence provisions, the Omnibus package would also bring about changes to the EU’s unilateral environmental measure, the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). CBAM entered into application in its transitional phase in October 2023 and is now halfway towards its definitive implementation. The proposed deregulation brings about improvements in several CBAM areas, including scope, and reporting and procedural requirements. In this alert, we outline those suggested amendments that are likely to be of most importance to businesses involved in trading in CBAM goods.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 03.04.25
Coalition of the Willing: EU and UK, but Not the US, Impose New Russia Sanctions
Firm News | 3 min read | 02.18.25
Chambers Ranks Crowell & Moring Practices and Lawyers in 2025 Global Guide
Press Coverage | 02.08.25
EU prepares to use instrument against Trump's trade blackmail and 'techno-caste'