Commercial & General Business Issues

Recent Articles

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  25/04/2024

  Hungary

  Hungary’s amended ESG Act to enter into force on 25 April 2024

  The following is a summary of the key changes made to Hungary’s ESG Act.Standardised ESG questionnaireCompanies may find it difficult to collect and analyse ESG data in light of the numerous questionnaires to assess sustainability risks, investments, access to finance and supply chains. In practice, these questionnaires vary in scope, depth and information standards, and are challenging to complete, and non-compliance can result in loss of resources and business relationships.As a result, the amendment introduces a single uniform questionnaire for Hungarian companies to report ESG-related...

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  24/04/2024

  Bulgaria

  Bulgaria considers introducing Contracts for Difference

  Currently, Bulgaria is among a small number of EU member states that lacks the concept of contracts for difference (CfD). So far, the country had a feed in tariff as a mechanism to subsidise renewable energy producers who meet legislative requirements. Given that feed in tariffs are an outdated tool, contracts for guarantees were introduced.  Having in mind, the current realities of the renewable energy market, including anticipated offshore renewable energy projects, Bulgarian lawmakers came to the conclusion that the country needs CfDs to:Secure the viability of a project;Monitor the...

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  23/04/2024

  Bulgaria

  Bulgaria passes Ordinance offering international trade with guarantees of origin

  Following the development of the EU legislation and reflecting market needs and increasing interest in trading with guarantees of origin, the Bulgaria’s Ministry of Energy adopted new Ordinance No. Е-РД-04-2 of 2 April 2024 on guarantees of origin of energy from renewable sources. The new Ordinance was promulgated in State Gazette No. 32 on 9 April 2024.This new Ordinance repeals Ordinance No. РД-16-1117 of 14.10.2011, which until now regulated the conditions and procedure for creating, maintaining, and using a system for issuing guarantees of origin.By definition,...

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  18/04/2024

  APAC region

  Top developments and predictions in the Technology, Media and Communications sector in Asia-Pacific

  We look back at the top developments over the last 12 months in the technology, media and communications (TMC) sector and we look to the future with our top predictions for the coming year for businesses operating across the Asia-Pacific region, specifically in mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore.Over the last year, mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore demonstrated their commitment to fostering a secure and innovative digital landscape by introducing a range of new regulations and measures. From cross-border personal information transfer and artificial intelligence service management to...

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  17/04/2024

  England and Wales

  AI-driven enforcement comes of age in UK with AI systems reshaping advertising and regulation and enforcement – ASA’s 2023 Annual Report

  The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published its 2023 annual report, describing 2023 as a watershed year for its digital strategy.Together, the ASA and the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) secured the amendment or withdrawal of 27,378 ads in 2023, a remarkable 92% of which resulting from proactive work largely powered by the ASA’s Active Ad Monitoring System. In December 2022, the ASA ran 20,000 ads through the system, which rose to over 600,000 ads per month by the end of 2023. This system forms a key part of the ASA’s 2024 to 2028 strategy on AI-assisted...

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  15/04/2024

  England and Wales

  Marks and Spencer secures quashing of Secretary of State’s decision to refuse planning permission

  The recent judgment of the High Court in Marks & Spencer Plc v Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities [2024] EWHC 452 (Admin) has received a lot of attention given its implications for the repurposing and reuse of existing buildings. The case concerned proposals by Marks & Spencer (“M&S”) to demolish their existing store on Oxford Street, London and to replace it with a nine-storey mixed use office and retail store, including a restaurant and a gym.The case was brought by M&S against the Secretary of State (“SoS”) following his decision...

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