NEWSROOM

Ally Law 2024 EMEA regional conference in Cyprus

Rita Parkanyi and Borbála Maglai, representing KCG Partners, as the Hungarian member of Ally Law Global Legal Services, participated in the Ally Law 2024 EMEA regional conference in Cyprus.

Hungarian Government forbids solar panels on balconies and agricultural lands

On 1 October 2024, the Hungarian Government published a decree on the basic regulations of settlement planning and construction requirements, which fundamentally rewrites and clarifies the frameworks for construction and property planning in many areas. Among these, one regulates the placement of solar panels and solar collectors, while another sets out the general framework for the installation of wind turbines.

An ambitious plan for digital transformation is on EU’s table

EU’s ambition is to play a leading role globally in digital transformation and digital governance. It emphasises the importance of harmonised standards and certifications, in particular in the context of AI, cybersecurity, digital identity, data sharing mechanisms and services and common European data spaces, as well as the potential of regulatory sandboxes, to further enable and stimulate the adoption of digital technologies aligned with EU legislative requirements.

Start date released, Entry/Exit System (EES) starts operation in November 2024

After years of waiting, it is now official: on 10 November 2024, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will enter into operation. The EES marks a significant advancement in the European Union's mission to improve border security while maintaining the region's openness and mobility. By systematically tracking the entry and exit of non-EU nationals, the EES enhances border control measures and helps identify overstayers across Europe. This data will also support the EU's visa policies and offer better insights into migration trends, contributing to the fight against irregular migration. The system originates from a regulation adopted in November 2017, but its release has been repeatedly delayed whilst EU Member States prepared for this significant change to border crossing processes.

Degraded ecosystems aim to be restored across Europe as Nature Restoration Law enters into force

European Union legislation to restore habitats to their natural state entered into force on 11 August 2024. Under the legislation, Member States must implement measures to restore at least 20% of the EU's terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 and all degraded ecosystems by 2050.

Manufacturing of batteries will be subject to environmental impact assessment

In the middle of July 2024, the Ministry of Energy announced that the Government will make it mandatory for manufacturers of batteries and their components, as well as battery waste managers, to carry out an environmental impact assessment procedure. Under the current legislation, the battery factory is one of the activities subject to an environmental impact assessment depending on the decision of the environmental authority in a preliminary assessment.

Main provisions of the Hungarian Architecture Act to enter into force from October

On 1 October 2024, the most important provisions of the new Hungarian Architecture Act will enter into force, completely transforming the current system of rules governing construction activity in Hungary.

Which workplaces will remain subject to mandatory medical checks?

As of 1 September 2024, not all employers are obliged to carry out compulsory medical examinations of their employees. The Labour Safety Act stipulates that other laws may specify the types of work for which such examinations will be compulsory. The Ministry of the Interior published a decree on the subject on its website at the end of August and it became applicable on 1 September 2024.

Implications and expected effect of the EU Directive on the repair of goods

In June 2024, the European Union adopted the Right to Repair Directive (R2RD), a key instrument designed to promote sustainable consumption by encouraging the repair and reuse of goods, both during and beyond the legal warranty period. This directive directly supports the EU’s green transition agenda, particularly under the European Green Deal. Although the R2RD already entered into force on 30 July 2024, Member States are required to transpose its provisions into national laws and begin enforcement by 31 July 2026.

Instead of reviewing the GDPR, Commission proposes to amend its enforcement rules

The European Commission had previously indicated that it will review the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) this year to see if any changes are needed in light of the experience of the past six years. However, the Commission later stated that the review would not happen until 2028, although the GDPR obliges the Commission to submit its report on the review to the Parliament and to the Council every four years. The Commission claims that 10 years are needed to gain sufficient experience and it will also be necessary to see how the EU's artificial intelligence (AI) legislation develops and what problems it will raise. These can be reviewed at a later stage so that all stakeholders can be involved.