Client Alert
The Romanian competition council releases its compliance guide
In what is a significant step in the promotion of competition law compliance, the Romanian Competition Council ("RCC") released its Compliance Guide ("CG") aimed at assisting all types of companies, irrespective of their size, in the implementation of a tailored and effective compliance program....
Changes in Slovenian labour law
This year, changes to three Slovenian labour-law-related acts were proposed, aiming, inter alia, to reduce disguised employment (i.e. performance of services based on a civil law contract instead of entering into an employment relationship for which the basic elements of employment are provided). On the other hand, many initiatives are pointing out that several freelancers choose to work based on civil law contracts because of the nature of their work and a need to maintain flexibility on the market....
Отсрочка за последните мерки относно електронните плащания
На 27 ноември 2017г. Европейската комисия прие Регулаторните технически стандарти ("Техническите стандарти") към втората директива(1) на ЕС за платежните услуги ("Втората директива")....
The debate on contributions and personal income tax is now opened
On October 4, 2017, The Federal Ministry of Finance in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) has announced the opening of the public debate on drafts of the Law on the Contributions and the Law on Personal Income Tax, adopted on the 21st session of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina held on September 21, 2017. The public debate is opened until January 1, 2018, which is also the deadline for delivery of comments and suggestions....
Launch of new FIDIC contract conditions
The "contracts of choice" for the world's most high-profile construction and infrastructure projects have been updated. FIDIC launched revised versions of its internationally recognized Red Book, Yellow Book and Silver Book, replacing the renowned 1999 FIDIC Suite of Contracts....
Legal provisions regarding the acquisition of farmland in certain countries in CEE
The large-scale acquisition of farmland in CEE countries has been a highly debated topic for some time. This is mainly due to the relatively low price of land in comparison to that in other parts of Europe as well as the good quality of the soil. However, there has also been a constant tendency to restrict farmland acquisition to an individual country's nationals (legal entities and individuals), and to put up limitations to the acquisition of farmland by EU/European Economic Area individuals or companies....
New mandatory register for companies in Austria
The EU Commission, further incited by the Paris terrorist attacks, has declared the fight against tax avoidance, money laundering and terrorist financing a top priority; in 2018 stricter rules will enter into force also in Austria – legal entities should prepare themselves in good time....
GDPR Update: DPO Now Included in Romanian Classification of Occupations
In preparation for the EU General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), which comes into force in May 2018, Romania has updated its Classification of Occupations (COR) to include data protection officers (DPOs)....
Bulgaria: Recent employment law changes restrict M&A transactions for bad employers
Protection of employees which was given strong support by Bulgarian Parliament led to difficulties in closing M&A transactions...
Bulgarian competition watchdog launches a sector inquiry into electricity markets
On 22 January 2018 the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission ("CPC") announced that it opened a sector inquiry into the electricity markets in Bulgaria. The formal decision has not yet been published. However, the sector inquiry is expected to cover the entire electricity value chain....
Bulgaria – Competition protection commission recommends amendments of the energy act concerning the heating sector
On 8 February 2018, the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission ("CPC") issued a Decision in a Competition Advocacy proceeding initiated in 2017 for the assessment of conformity with Competition law of the legal framework applicable to heat energy supply legislation. The Competition Advocacy proceeding analyzed the respective sections of the Energy Act ("EA"), the Heat Energy Supply Ordinance (1) and the General Terms and Conditions of the heating companies....
Bulgaria – Amendments to the energy act in relation to REMIT to be reviewed by the competition protection commission
On 07 February 2018, the Bulgarian Competition Protection Commission ("CPC") initiated Competition Advocacy proceedings in relation to the recently proposed amendments to the Bulgarian Energy Act ("EA"), aiming to increase controlling and enforcement powers of the Bulgarian Energy and Water Regulatory Commission ("EWRC") in respect of possible energy market manipulations under REMIT (Regulation 1227/2011 on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency)....