Linear- and branched-PFAS in Italian food of animal origin: Quantification approaches using UHPLC-HRMS

ABSTRACT Background Public trust is crucial for effective pandemic response, influencing compliance and cooperation. Past pandemics have revealed trust gaps that have weakened response efforts. However, there is limited evidence-based guidance on how to integrate public trust into preparedness frameworks. Objective The objective of this study is to provide guidance on embedding public trust-building principles in pandemic preparedness frameworks and strategies. Methods A comparative analysis of the WHO’s ‘five C’ framework and a public trust in health systems framework was conducted to assess the integration of trust-building principles into the WHO’s framework. Each trust-building principle was classified as explicitly present, implicitly present, or absent. Absent trust principles highlight areas for strengthening public trust in pandemic preparedness. A quality checklist, adapted from research on European health data-sharing legislation, ensured systematic evaluation. Results The analysis of the five C framework highlights varying integration of trust principles in pandemic preparedness. ‘Community Protection’ has strong trust coverage, while ‘Collaborative Surveillance’, ‘Safe and Scalable Care’, ‘Access to Countermeasures’, and ‘Emergency Coordination’ present gaps in public trust promotion, particularly in information quality, familiarity, privacy, anonymity, and time. Time is frequently absent, suggesting a need for greater emphasis. Conclusions Governments and other health policy stakeholders should prioritize incorporating familiarity, information quality, privacy, autonomy, time, and anonymity into appropriate aspects of pandemic preparedness frameworks. Incorporating these trust principles during inter-pandemic periods will assist in the promotion and strengthening of public trust in pandemic preparedness measures, ensuring effective public support and deference during a public health crisis response.

The establishment of structured supply chains for hunted game meat has fostered the development of a wide range of products intended for the food service sector. Among these, minced meat has gained particular prominence due to its practicality. Nonetheless, the grinding process can enhance microbial proliferation, posing potential challenges to product quality and safety. The hygienic profile of deep-frozen minced wild boar (Sus scrofa) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) meat remains insufficiently characterized. A total of 70 minced meat samples (corresponding to 10 batches from wild boar and 4 from roe deer) were collected over a 1-year period from a dedicated processing facility. The samples were processed and subjected to aerobic colony counts (ACC), β-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli counts, and the detection of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. The mean ACC was 4.64±0.75 Log CFU/g, with no significant differences between wild boar (4.65 Log CFU/g) and roe deer (4.61 Log CFU/g) samples. Differences were observed for E. coli counts, with mean values of 2.60±1.02 Log CFU/g for wild boar and 1.90±0.81 Log CFU/g for roe deer. Neither Salmonella spp. nor L. monocytogenes was detected in any of the samples. When compared against the process hygiene criteria established by European legislation, 95.71% of the samples were classified as satisfactory and 4.29% as acceptable for ACC. However, with respect to E. coli, 35.71% of the samples exceeded 500 CFU/g, a level regarded as unsatisfactory for minced meat set in Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005.

The article analyzes the peculiarities of the institutional and regulatory framework that forms the basis for cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the field of local self-government reform. It has been established that the main act defining the legal framework in the field of local self-government is the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine, which serves as a roadmap for the implementation of this reform. The EU and Ukrainian institutions involved in the implementation of local self-government reform have been identified. It was found that the common institutional formats are: the Ukraine-EU Summit, the Ukraine-EU Association Council, the civil society platform, the EU’s Eastern Partnership Initiative, and cross-border cooperation within the framework of Euroregions. Key internal and external constraints on the institutional and legal dimensions of interaction between the parties have been identified. The main obstacles hindering the process of interaction within the framework of this reform are the lack of a framework agreement in the field of local self-government, the low capacity of some communities to implement reforms, the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, the economic crisis, the occupation of territories and military actions, and the differences between European and Ukrainian legislation. The article uses the SWOT analysis method to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the institutional and legal dimensions of cooperation between the parties. Recommendations are made to improve cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, in particular the signing of a framework agreement on local self-government to regulate the strengthening of local self -government reform, the need for the EU to strengthen its monitoring of the reform, increasing the capacity of communities, involving local self-government associations in the EU-Ukraine dialogue, and creating contact platforms for interaction between Ukrainian and European communities. The conclusions emphasize that Ukraine’s accession to the EU will be a driving force for successful local self-government reform.

Mountainous Mediterranean rivers provide essential ecosystem services but are increasingly affected by land-use change, hydraulic works, and inadequate wastewater management. This study investigates the links between geomorphological transformation and river water quality in the Central Eurytania drainage basin (Greece) over the past two decades, within the institutional framework of European and Greek environmental legislation, with emphasis on the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Georeferenced satellite imagery from 2003/2010 and 2023, Google Earth Engine (GEE, Python Earth Engine API: 1.7.20)-based spatial analysis, high-resolution UAV orthomosaics, and seasonal spectrophotometric analyses were integrated to assess spatial and temporal dynamics. Results indicate that land-use changes, including the construction of solar parks, expansion of tourism infrastructure, and partial agricultural abandonment, reflect ongoing socio-economic shifts influencing fluvial processes. Water-quality analyses further showed that channel alteration and wastewater inputs jointly degrade ecological conditions. The findings highlight the need for integrated watershed management focused on riparian buffer restoration, improved wastewater control, and systematic monitoring of hydromorphological change. The proposed interdisciplinary framework contributes to the assessment of environmental resilience in Mediterranean mountainous watersheds, which are increasingly vulnerable to climatic and socio-economic pressures.

Introduction. The relevance of this study is determined by the need to improve the legal framework and apply modern environmental protection technologies in the field of urban improvement, which ensures sustainable development and enhances the comfort of urban environments. Problem statement. The experience of the Republic of Poland is of particular scientific interest, as the legal and regulatory framework for landscaping is shaped taking into account the requirements of European legislation, EU environmental directives, and the principles of sustainable development. This allows for its evaluation and the identification of opportunities to adapt this experience to domestic practice. Purpose of the work is to study the Polish experience in the legal regulation of urban improvement and to identify possibilities for its adaptation to Ukrainian conditions. Materials included legislative and subordinate acts of the Republic of Poland, as well as scientific publications by Ukrainian and international authors on urban improvement, ecology, and urban planning. Methods used were comparative legal analysis, content analysis of sources, and synthesis of modern environmental protection technologies. Results showed that Poland has a comprehensive system of legal acts combining national laws with local resolutions, spatial development plans, and maintenance regulations. The main tools are local decisions regarding cleanliness, maintenance of green areas, and engineering infrastructure, integrating ecological, social, and spatial components. The Polish approach ensures the creation of a safe, functional, and ecologically balanced urban environment and promotes environmental awareness among citizens. Conclusion. The Polish model of urban improvement regulation is characterized by decentralization, a high level of detail, and practical orientation. It is relevant for scientific analysis and can be used to improve the mechanisms of legal regulation of urban improvement in Ukrainian settlements.

Multicomponent approach to optimize the performance of existing air quality networks. Practical applications

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of customs offenses in Albania, with a particular focus on their classification, prosecution, and sanctioning in light of harmonization with European Union customs legislation. Tracing the historical evolution of customs offenses from the Statute of Shkodra to the 2014 Customs Code, the study identifies the gradual shift from a purely national regulatory framework toward alignment with EU standards, including the Union Customs Code (UCC) and relevant directives. The article explores the distinction between administrative customs offenses and smuggling, emphasizing the role of guilt, financial thresholds, and the social danger of the offense as critical classification criteria. It further analyses the principles of legality, culpability, and proportionality in the application of sanctions, including the debate surrounding strict liability in customs matters. The dual nature of customs sanctions, both punitive and reparative, is examined through national jurisprudence and comparative EU case law. In light of the increasing complexity of customs violations and Albania’s EU integration objectives, the article calls for a substantive revision of Title X of the Customs Code to ensure legal certainty, consistency, and procedural safeguards. Particular attention is given to the principle of ne bis in idem, the necessity of individualized penalties, and the shortcomings in current legislative provisions. The article concludes by recommending reforms that balance effective enforcement with the protection of fundamental rights, aligning Albania’s customs legal framework with evolving European legal standards.

Q fever, caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii, is a globally distributed zoonosis for which ruminants are considered to be the main reservoir. In Germany, the majority of human Q fever cases are linked to small ruminants. Epidemiological investigations show clear regional differences in herd prevalence, with higher detection rates in southern Germany, particularly associated with out-of-season lambing. Diagnosis in animals relies on both indirect (primarily ELISA) and direct pathogen detection (primarily PCR), although neither method can confirm the pathogen-free status of individual animals, emphasizing the need for standardized surveillance. Currently, no effective treatment is available for coxiellosis in ruminants. Therefore, vaccination with an inactivated phase I vaccine is the main measure used to reduce pathogen shedding and abortion rates. European animal health legislation (the Animal Health Law) places a general emphasis on the clear responsibilities of livestock keepers, veterinarians, and authorities for the reporting, prevention, and control of coxiellosis. The interdisciplinary consortium Q-GAPS has developed a practical management guideline for Q fever in small ruminants, providing recommendations for outbreak investigations and risk communication. It underscores that effective prevention and control of Q fever require a combination of vaccination, hygiene, and environmental management, as well as close cooperation between veterinary and human medicine, which aligns with the One Health approach.

For a period exceeding five decades, industrial and scientific communities, in conjunction with regulators, have utilized a complexified, standardized system (e.g., OECD, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; ISO, International Organization for Standardization; ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials; CEN, Comité Européen de Normalisation) for the estimation of biodegradability of organic compounds. This system has been adopted in numerous countries worldwide and has also been integrated into European legislation (REACH, registration, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals). In recent years, a number of deficiencies have been identified in the standardized biodegradation test systems. This comprehensive review sets out the fields in which improvements are necessary to set up the next generation of reliable, standardized biodegradation tests. The main focus of the review is the challenges and modifications needed to test difficult-to-test compounds such as volatile, hydrophobic compounds, UVCBs (unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products or biological materials), water-soluble polymers, and plastics. Recent advances in the characterization of inocula for biodegradation tests are also addressed, which offer a valuable opportunity to enhance the reliability and reproducibility of biodegradation assays. Moreover, the potential for predicting biodegradation in the environment is a subject that is discussed in this text. KEY POINTS: • It is essential that the OECD system of biodegradability tests be subjected to a thorough re-examination and further technical development. • It is evident that UVCBs, hydrophobic compounds, and polymers present particular challenges in the context of OECD/ISO biodegradation tests. • It is necessary that inocula for OECD/ISO-based biodegradation tests are characterized in a much more comprehensive manner.

The transition towards a decarbonised, electrified energy system challenges the statistical foundations on which policy, regulation, and research rely. Established indicators such as the renewable energy quota were designed for centralised, fossil-fired power plants, with negligible prosumer activity and limited storage. High shares of variable renewables, increasing rooftop photovoltaic deployment with self-consumption, and diverse storage technologies now fundamentally challenge legacy methods. European legislation has fixed the gross principle and gross inland electricity consumption as the denominator for the renewable energy quota, yet widely cited national indicators deviate systematically from EU-compliant calculations and suffer from double counting in the treatment of pumped hydro storage. To address these ambiguities, we present a Compendium of Statistical Definitions for Electricity Production and Consumption. The compendium provides unambiguous definitions, explicit accounting formulas, and references to exact data series and legal sources for key quantities including gross and net electricity production and consumption, self-consumption, storage balance, and the renewable energy quota. We discuss three main implications: the growing statistical importance of prosumer self-consumption, the comparability of renewable energy quotas across methods and jurisdictions, and the need to exclude pumped hydro storage — and, by extension, other storage technologies — from generation accounting to avoid double counting. The compendium provides a reference layer for harmonising heterogeneous datasets, supports machine-readable term definitions compatible with the Open Energy Ontology, and contributes to future-proof energy statistics for high-renewable energy systems.

The aim of the article is, based on a summary of the development of legal regulation of geographical indications at the international level, to draw attention to the problem of inconsistent legal regulation of geographical indications in different countries and the resulting problems for authorised holders of these indications. The article clarifies the specific nature of this intellectual property right and the continuous conflict between the states of the old (EU) and the new world (USA, Canada, Australia). A contradiction between the European system of protection of geographical indications sui generis and Common Law protection through certification and collective trademarks is identified. The EU and developing countries argue that a different level of protection will allow competitors who do not fall within the geographical area of the protected geographical indication to ‘parasitise’ on the reputation of the products, while the rightful holders of GI rights cannot defend themselves against such abuse if the unauthorised producer indicates the true origin of the product. An evaluation of the Geneva Act as an attempt to bridge the conflict is carried out. The Geneva Act improves and simplifies the international registration procedure not only for designations of origin, but also for geographical indications in countries that are not members of the Geneva Act. In conclusion, the direction of the new European legislation implemented by Regulations 2024/1143 and 2023/2411 is analysed, and the “intransigence” of European states to remain in the sui generis system based on practically unlimited protection of geographical indications is stated. The historical-legal and theoretical-legal methods were used in the research.

European legislation requires detailed performance evaluation of invitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MD) by both commercial manufacturers (through the Conformité Européenne (CE) mark) and in-house (IH) IVDs. Little information is currently available on how CE- and IH-IVDs are mapped in laboratory routine operations with respect to spectrum, frequency and performance. External quality assessment (EQA) providers routinely collect information from participants in connection with test results on the IVD-MDs and combinations used. Using data from a national EQA provider, we compared frequencies and performances of commercial and non-commercial laboratory tests reported by laboratories participating in the programmes of an EQA provider. Due to differing, but equally tenable, interpretations regarding the distinction between CE- and IH-IVDs, two possibilities were considered in data analysis. Depending on the applied definition of IH-IVDs, a total of 59 or 13/1,763 laboratories (3.5 %/0.74 %) used 170 or 21/5,488 (3.1 %/0.4 %) IH-IVD systems to produce a total of 263 or 21/32845 (0.8 %/0.1 %) results for 63 or 18 of ∼400 analytes (∼15.8 %/∼4.5 %). The EQA performance of IH-IVDs was essentially the same as that of CE-IVDs. IH-IVDs accounted for only a minimal proportion of tests. EQA results obtained with them showed no inferiority to those obtained with CE-IVDs. Furthermore, our findings show that EQA data are a useful tool for examining the analytical landscape, possibly even beyond the national level. Studies on the use and performance of IH-IVDs should be conducted based on EQA programmes for laboratory diagnostic areas where their proportion is likely to be higher.

The study of the problem of legal regulation of international freight transportation in the context of European integration is relevant for domestic legal science for several reasons. Further internationalization of economic relations leads to an increase in the volume of international trade and the exchange of goods and services between states, which creates a significant demand for international transportation, the relations of which require proper legal regulation. As a primary task, it is possible to outline the study of the foundations of modern legal regulation of TEN-T within EU legislation and doctrine, as well as the identification of guidelines for forming mechanisms to ensure the rights and interests of participants in the national transport system when creating tools and mechanisms for international freight transportation, joining TEN-T, and adapting Ukrainian legislation to EU law. An important direction of legal regulation of freight transportation is the formation of legal mechanisms for the functioning of the Trans-European Transport Network. The update of European legislation regarding the Trans-European Transport Network and transport corridors took place with the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No. 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No. 1315/2013, which also requires consideration in the legislation of Ukraine. The development of multimodal transport infrastructure, and in the future intermodal transport, practically from an initial level provides an opportunity for legislative regulation of the restructuring of Ukraine’s transport system directly, bypassing the previously completed stages of TEN-T development. Key legislative changes in Ukraine should provide for new conditions for administrative and sectoral regulation, as well as for the coordination of major transportation flows in rail, road, and other modes of transport, with technical, technological, and legal adaptation to the TEN-T.

Abstract Ireland’s climate legislation mandates greenhouse gas reductions consistent with the Paris Agreement, implemented through legally binding carbon budgets (CBs) targeting a 51% reduction by 2030, relative to 2018, and climate neutrality by 2050. As an EU Member State, Ireland must also meet obligations under European climate and energy legislation, including the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). The extent to which national policy frameworks, such as Ireland’s domestic CBs, align with EU obligations is underexplored. This study assesses the alignment of Ireland’s energy system decarbonisation pathways—developed using the TIMES-Ireland model (TIM) and aligned with approved and adopted national CBs—with EU climate and energy targets for 2030 and 2040. The analysis focuses on a composite ‘ TIM-CBaligned ’ pathway, representing the weighted average of scenarios underpinning Ireland’s third and fourth CB proposals, alongside current and planned policy scenarios. Results show that TIM-CBaligned outperforms the 2030 EU ETS target in power and industry sectors by 24% and exceeds the indicative EU-2040 benchmark for energy emissions by 68%. ESR compliance is achievable only with significant agricultural mitigation; otherwise, non-compliance persists even with use of flexibilities. Final energy consumption in 2030 falls 6% short of the EED target, although low energy demand scenarios help to close the gap. These findings confirm that ambitious, CB-aligned energy pathways can deliver strong coherence between national and EU climate goals, in line with literature on multilevel climate governance. However, they also highlight the persistent risk that underperformance in non-energy sectors undermines overall compliance, which is particularly pertinent for countries with a high share of emissions from agriculture. Policy coherence requires sustained investment, accelerated demand reduction, and integrated planning across all sectors. This study contributes a novel, quantitative example of national–EU target alignment, addressing a recognised gap in the literature and providing evidence to inform both domestic and EU policy debates.

Background/Objectives: Abortion legislation represents a complex intersection of medical practice, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks that demonstrate significant legal heterogeneity across Europe. This study undertakes a comprehensive comparative assessment of the statutory schemes governing abortion across the European continent, examining gestational limits, exceptional circumstances, and regulatory requirements. Methods: A comparative legal analysis was conducted across 31 European jurisdictions. Primary legislative instruments were identified and authenticated through official governmental sources, parliamentary databases, and legal repositories to ensure analysis of current consolidated legislation. Data extraction focused on gestational limits, exceptional circumstances, procedural requirements, and constitutional provisions to categorize jurisdictions into regulatory models. Additionally, a structured literature search was performed in PubMed and Scopus (2015–2025) using the keywords “abortion,” “law,” and “Europe.” From 297 screened records, 30 articles were selected to contextualize legislative evolution and scholarly discourse. Results: The comparative analysis identified substantial heterogeneity in European abortion legislation, revealing four distinct regulatory models. Most jurisdictions establish a legal limit for elective abortion of approximately 12 weeks of gestation, with variations ranging from 10 weeks to 24 weeks. Exceptions to gestational limits are widely recognized for maternal life-threatening conditions, severe fetal anomalies and pregnancies resulting from sexual violence. Conclusions: European abortion legislation reflects persistent regulatory pluralism rather than convergence toward a unified model. While commonality exists regarding early gestational limits for elective abortion, significant variation remains in exceptional circumstances, procedural requirements, and underlying regulatory philosophies. This heterogeneity impacts healthcare provision, cross-border reproductive care, and medico-legal practice. The identified regulatory models illustrate diverse balances between reproductive autonomy and state interests. Future research should examine the practical consequences of these diverse schemes on health outcomes and cross-border patient mobility.

This scoping review aimed to map European and Romanian pharmaceutical legislation and policy-related evidence and to examine how legislative harmonization translates into access outcomes in Romania. Legislative documents, institutional reports, market analyses, and peer-reviewed studies addressing pharmaceutical regulation, pricing, reimbursement, and access to medicines (2000-2024). EUR-Lex, the Romanian Legislative Portal, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and institutional sources (European Commission, OECD, WHO, EFPIA, NAMMDR, CNAS). Data were extracted using a standardized charting form and synthesized narratively across thematic domains (regulatory harmonization, pricing and reimbursement, medicine shortages, comparative EU indicators, and health system implications). Fifty sources were included. The mapped evidence consistently identified three dominant patterns: (1) prolonged time-to-availability for centrally authorized medicines, with mean delays exceeding 800 days in Romania compared with approximately 578 days at EU level; (2) limited availability of innovative therapies, particularly in oncology (approximately 20% availability in Romania versus around 50% EU average); and (3) recurrent medicine shortages associated with low-price regulation and parallel export dynamics. Evidence gaps include limited Romania-specific empirical evaluation of the causal effects of individual policy levers (e.g., external reference pricing, reimbursement timelines, clawback mechanisms). Legislative harmonization alone has not ensured equitable or timely access to medicines in Romania. The evidence suggests that national pricing, reimbursement, and supply governance mechanisms mediate the relationship between EU regulation and real-world patient access, highlighting the need for targeted policy reforms and further empirical investigation.

ABSTRACT This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of French Law No. 2023-451, 1 1 LOI n° 2023-451 du 9 juin 2023 visant à encadrer l'influence commerciale et à lutter contre les dérives des influenceurs sur les réseaux sociaux (1), JORF n°0133 du 10 juin 2023, Texte n° 1. <https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000047663185>. the first integrated European legislation to comprehensively regulate digital influencers. The law fundamentally redefines the influencer’s status, shifting from that of a ‘free-speech content creator’ to a ‘responsible economic actor’ subject to strict legal obligations in areas such as public health, financial services, advertising transparency, and child protection. The legislation mandates a written contract for all commercial collaborations, explicitly prohibits the promotion of certain high-risk activities, including cosmetic surgery and unlicensed digital assets, and establishes criminal liability for serious violations. It also addresses the legal status of non-resident influencers by requiring them to appoint an EU-based legal representative and to hold professional liability insurance covering activities targeting French audiences. More broadly, this law marks a decisive departure from voluntary self-regulation toward a robust legal framework that carefully balances freedom of expression with consumer protection, with particular attention to child influencers. The paper concludes that the French model offers an advanced and forward-looking reference for regulating the ‘influencer economy’ in the digital age.

The article is devoted to a comprehensive comparative legal study of knowingly false report of a criminal offense under Art. 383 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in the states of the Romano-Germanic (continental) legal family (France, Germany and a number of other European states), the Anglo-American legal family (USA, Australia), as well as in the legislation of the former republics of the USSR, in order to create optimal guidelines for improving Ukrainian legislation. The emphasis is on the analysis of the legislative structures of the composition of a knowingly false report of a crime, determining its object, objective and subjective signs, as well as the specifics of the subject in different jurisdictions. It has been demonstrated that in the legislation of the states of the continental legal tradition, criminal liability for knowingly false reporting of a crime is regulated quite successfully. In the vast majority of criminal codes of European countries, this act is recognized as a “false accusation” or “false suspicion” (Germany, Austria, Norway, Finland). The signs of knowingly false reporting of a crime are most successfully regulated in the French Criminal Code. The act in this norm is formulated as an accusation made in any way and directed against a specific person, in an act capable of causing judicial, administrative or disciplinary sanctions, if the accuser knows that the accusation is completely or partially false. The undoubted advantage of this rule is the presence of an exhaustive list of addressees of a false accusation - this is a judicial, administrative or judicial police officer, or a body authorized to act on its basis or to transfer it to a competent authority, or to the hierarchical superiors or employer of the person against whom the denunciation was made. The German Criminal Code has a similar argumentation regarding the list of addressees of a false accusation. Unlike the norms of the Criminal Codes of most European countries, the Norwegian Criminal Code includes the objective side of a false accusation not only the reporting of false information about the fact of committing a crime, but also the falsification or destruction of evidence indicating the innocence of a specific person. The United States of America does not have a federal criminal code. Each state has its own codified criminal legislation, which differs from each other. At the same time, the Model Criminal Code was adopted in the USA, which is a model regulatory legal act for criminal legislation for all states, and which significantly affects the construction of the systems of the Special Part of the Criminal Codes of this federal state. The Model Criminal Code of the USA contains several articles that provide for liability for knowingly false reporting of a crime. The analysis of the legislation of the former republics of the USSR shows that it is significantly inferior to European and American legislation in terms of a detailed and extensive description of the features of the composition of a knowingly false reporting of a crime in legal norms. It has been established that for Ukraine the most effective is the combination of a clear regulatory construction of the composition of a knowingly false reporting of a criminal offense, consistent with international acts, while ensuring the real effectiveness of the prohibition. Based on the studied foreign experience, a conclusion was formulated on the criminalization of self- disclosure and the establishment of increased liability for knowingly false reporting of a criminal offense against government officials.

Antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, constitutes a major global public health threat. In Europe, antimicrobial resistance is recognized among the top three health threats, in line with the World Health Organization's prioritization. This narrative review examines recent key health and pharmaceutical policies and drug regulations in the European Union, aimed at combating antimicrobial resistance and promoting the development of novel antibiotics and alternative therapeutic approaches. It also highlights potential limitations within these initiatives. Between 2015 and 2024, the authors have identified only 14 newly authorized antibiotics by the European Medicines Agency (excluding withdrawn applications, generics, and new formulations of existing medicines). This underscores the stagnation in the development of antibiotics, potentially attributable to limited investments because of fears of low profitability, and a loss of technical expertise within the pharmaceutical industry. At the European Union level, the One Health Action Plan (2017) established a strategic framework to implement anti-antimicrobial resistance measures and stimulate research on antimicrobials. Furthermore, the forthcoming reform of the European Union general pharmaceutical legislation introduces new incentives to support development of antimicrobials. In parallel, the European Medicines Agency has reinforced its efforts to support development of antimicrobials through updated, or planned updates, of its regulatory guidelines and through its innovation-support regulatory tools (e.g., "Priority Medicine" scheme). Concurrently, interest in bacteriophage-based therapies as antibiotic alternatives is increasing, as reflected in recent updates to the European Pharmacopoeia and the work initiated on theEuropean Medicines Agency guidelines for bacteriophage therapy. While all these initiatives represent meaningful progress, significant challenges remain, necessitating sustained collaborative efforts across stakeholders.