European businesses may be putting themselves at risk because they mistakenly believe regulators are prepared to loosen the rules, lower the compliance burden, and lessen enforcement so companies can operate more easily as the coronavirus pandemic lingers on.

Indeed, the business press is full of stories saying regulators have relaxed regulations and do not intend to pursue minor infringements—even offsetting fines in some instances.

Neil Hodge is a freelance business journalist and photographer based in Nottingham, United Kingdom. He writes on insurance and risk management, corporate governance, internal audit, compliance, and legal...