The electronization of healthcare (eHealth) streamlines processes in healthcare and improves the quality and availability of medical care. Some elements of eHealth already existed in Czech law, but the legislation was fragmented. To set the general framework, basic rules, and standards for the functioning of eHealth, a new Act No 325/2021 Coll., on electronization of healthcare (Act) was adopted, with effect from January 1, 2022.

During the past decade, the Albanian energy sector has benefited from a wave of domestic and foreign investments in hydro-power generation. Photovoltaic and wind energy generation has lagged behind for a long time. Increasing environmental concerns over the excessive use of water resources and the continuous reduction in technology costs are now shifting the government’s focus toward photovoltaic and wind energy generation.

So, what has the Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency (AZOP) been up to lately?

The start of the 21st century has seen the biggest changes and developments in employment law since its birth in the flames and smoke of the industrial revolution. The norm of the second half of the 20th century, comprising eight-hour shifts and nine-to-five office jobs, is now being dismantled. From remote working, flexible hours, compressed workdays and workweeks, all the way to platform work, the spectrum of employment law has never had so many colors. Even though Croatia represents a small jurisdiction, worldwide trends are certainly not bypassing it.

On June 1, 2022, Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/720 on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices (EU VBER) entered into effect in all EU member states. The new EU-level rules were adopted, inter alia, to align the existing framework with the specifics of the online platform economy which plays an important role in the distribution of goods and services across the whole EU. Still, although the new VBER has significantly changed the rules on the application of Article 101(3) TFEU to vertical agreements, the existing Croatian Regulation on Block Exemption of Vertical Agreements between Undertakings (Croatian VBER) has not (yet) undergone a similar revision. 

On 1 January 2023, the Republic of Croatia will enter the eurozone and replace the Croatian kuna (HRK), the existing national currency, with the euro. Although the change has been welcomed by most stakeholders, it also leads to increased demands for regulatory compliance and additional expenses.

Nothing worse than something spoiling your party. Croatia had a perfect tourism season, with plenty of guests staying at hotels, resorts, camps, or yachts. Other industries are doing great as well. On top of everything – Croatia is admitted to the eurozone as of January 2023, and the National Bank reduced the required reserve ratio and abolished the minimum foreign currency liquidity, strongly increasing banks’ cash resources! Everything was ready for a 2023 party – plenty of funds within the banks, industry in its upward trend, the real estate sector developing, new unicorns ahead of us – it seemed like financing possibilities would be all around, with low interest rates and plenty of opportunities!

Directive (EU) 2019/1023 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on preventive restructuring frameworks, on discharge of debt and disqualifications, and on measures to increase the efficiency of procedures concerning restructuring, insolvency and discharge of debt, and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1132 (the “Restructuring Directive“) aims to provide an updated and more efficient framework for the restructuring and support of the companies going through financial difficulties.

The new NIS2 Directive will replace the current NIS Directive on security of network and information systems.

In accordance with a contemplated change of the existing EU Temporary Crisis Framework rules stipulating for state aid limits applicable to the whole European Economic Area, the amended Czech Government Regulation sets forth Czech national limits applicable to delivery points in the Czech Republic.

Metaverse emerges as an "other universe" that invites the masses to live, interact, and trade in it. The parts of this universe are virtual reality, the internet, and advanced technologies. Users are no longer in front of the screen, they can enter this world in person. This can be possible in two ways for now; This world we call avatar requires a digital twin and virtual reality glasses. Users may think that they are chatting with their avatars, but can they feel like they are drinking coffee in a real environment? Are the two similar things?

Waste transports with a total quantity of more than 10 tonnes must be carried out by rail or other means of transport with equivalent or lower pollutant or greenhouse gas potential (e.g. propulsion by means of fuel cell or electric motor). The decisive factor is the transport distance covered in Austria, which will gradually decrease. From 1 January 2023, this obligation applies to a transport distance of 300 km or more; from 1 January 2024, the distance will be only 200 km.

The most prestigious Hungarian permanent arbitration body, the Court of Arbitration attached to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCAC) revised its rules of proceedings with effect from 2023. Will the revised rules increase the speed and efficiency of arbitral proceedings in front of the HCAC, or it is just a facelift of the former regime?

If you need statistical data maintained by the National Health Information System for your work or scientific research, whether demographic data on births or deaths, statistics on cancer patients, information on assisted reproduction or other information, you will be interested in a landmark decision of the Constitutional Court.

The Hungarian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Authority (NAIH) recently fined a market-leading Hungarian media service provider HUF 10 million (approx. €25,000) for failing to comply with the data processing principles of lawfulness, fairness and transparency in its cookie management solution based on the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Europe's Transparency and Consent (TCF) Framework. This is the first time that the Hungarian authority has imposed a fine for cookie management issues and made it public.

The issue of how to ensure the longevity of family businesses remains as topical all over the world as it is in Turkey. When we look at the statistics, we see that family businesses have an extremely high percentage in Turkey as well as all over the world.

The IT industry in Ukraine remains one of the key drivers of the Ukrainian economy even despite the market turmoil in the times of war. Alongside this, the constant development of technology and the need to honour obligations and commitments to implement EU law in terms of copyright and related rights requires certain amendments to the current Ukrainian legislation.

Do you sell goods to consumers through ane-shop? Do you feel like you already know everything there is to know about the great consumer amendment from all the different articles? While it's true that plenty has been written about the end of fake reviews and discounts, the legal guarantee or the specific labelling of the "order with obligation to pay" button, this is much more than a "button amendment". What affect will it have, for example, on personalising the price for a particular consumer?