Romania is accelerating its transition to renewable energy, aiming to expand wind and solar power as key components of its energy mix. In 2024, several new regulations were introduced to incentivize private investment and streamline project approvals, fostering a more attractive environment for green energy development.

The Romanian competition landscape has constantly been at the intersection of significant investment activity and intense regulatory enforcement.

North Macedonia has taken a significant step in regulating market competition with the enactment of the Law on the Prohibition of Unfair Trade Practices in the Supply Chain of Agricultural and Food Products (Law).

In March 2025, the Hungarian Parliament enacted legislation expanding the use of facial recognition technologies in minor offence procedures. The law is a part of broader efforts aimed at enhancing child protection measures, but has sparked considerable legal debate due to potential conflicts with European data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the forthcoming EU Artificial Intelligence Act.

Contributed by Arzinger.

Contributed by Selih & Partnerji.

Contributed by NSTLaw.

Contributed by Popescu & Asociatii.

Contributed by Clifford Chance.

Contributed by Law Office Emil Miftari.

Contributed by Doklestic Repic & Gajin.

Contributed by DLA Piper.

Contributed by Cobalt.

Contributed by Schoenherr.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) recently delivered a significant judgment in Case C-365/23 - Arce[1], addressing the application of EU consumer protection law to contracts involving minors in the sports sector.

On 7 April 2025, Mr. János Lázár, Hungary’s Minister of Construction and Transport announced via social media his intention to introduce a major legislative initiative designed to overhaul the oversight of public investments.

On 17 April 2025, the President of the Hungarian Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities (SZTFH) issued Decree 3/2025. (IV. 17.), setting out detailed provisions on cybersecurity supervision, the conduct of regulatory inspections, and the role of the information security supervisor.

On 17 April 2025, the Law on the Implementation of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 on the Single Market for Digital Services (the Digital Services Act or "DSA") (the "Law") entered into force in Croatia. The Law marks a significant step in harmonising the national legislation with the EU's regulatory framework for digital services.