In the Hungarian Gazette of 15 August 2024, two new SZTFH (Authority for Regulated Activities) decrees were published, which supplement and further detail the provisions of the Hungarian ESG Act. The first decree on the register of ESG reports, software and qualifiers entered into force on 18 August, while the provisions on the registration of ESG reports and qualifiers enter into force on 16 September.
Erika Stark-Rittenauer and Georg Knafl Join E+H as Partners
Former Wolf Theiss Attorney at Law Georg Knafl and former OEBB-Holding Senior Compliance Expert Erika Stark-Rittenauer have joined E+H as Partners in the firm's public law department and the firm's compliance and investigations team, respectively.
New Decrees on ESG Consultants and Educational Institutions Entered into Force
In the Hungarian Gazette of 8 August 2024, four long-awaited decrees were published, which supplement and detail the provisions of the Hungarian ESG Act.
The Inside Track: Whistleblowing – In-House or Outsource?
In the Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. With organizations continuously challenged to adapt to new and complex legal frameworks, this time we asked: For the implementation of whistleblowing requirements, do you intend to use internal resources or outsource, and why?
Whistleblower Law
On June 24, 2024, the Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers (the "Whistleblowers Act") was published in the Journal of Laws, which means that most of its provisions will come into force on September 25, 2024.
Poland – Privacy Implications of New Whistleblowing Rules
Poland has finally implemented the EU Whistleblowing Directive. The new law will enter into force on 25 September 2024, leaving little time to adapt to the new regulations. We highlight the key privacy implications of implementing the whistleblowing procedures in Poland and outline the actions organisations need to take in the upcoming weeks.
Austria: Can I Claim that My Product Is Climate Neutral?
In a recent judgment, the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) held that the claim "climate neutral" is ambiguous and often misleading unless the advertisement itself explains its specific meaning. This sets a trend for Austria, where courts have traditionally followed the standards set by the BGH in relation to environmental advertising when assessing such claims under unfair competition law. On an EU level, the restrictions regarding claims about greenhouse gas emissions are becoming even stricter, leaving advertisers with much to consider before making claims such as "climate neutral".