project | In Principle

After nearly a year of promises, the government published a proposal to amend the Wind Power Plant Act on 25 September 2024. The amendment of March 2023 was deemed insufficient for accelerating the development of onshore wind power in Poland. Further liberalisation of the rules for siting of wind power plants aims to expedite Poland’s energy transition and stimulate the wind power sector, especially at the local level.

The act introducing the deposit-refund scheme in Poland came into force on 13 October 2023. Companies were given a little more than a year to prepare for their new obligations, as the scheme is set to go live on 1 January 2025. But for several months the new government has been announcing changes to the act. The final wording the provisions when the scheme is launched remains an open question.

A proposal to cut red tape for businesses in Poland could backfire against contractors in procurement appeals.

A bill to implement the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in Poland was published on 19 April 2024. The main implementation measure is the proposed new chapter 6c of the Accounting Act, entitled “Sustainability Reporting.”

EU member states’ tardiness in implementing environmental directives has consequences. It has led to a proposal of an EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste, to harmonise the internal market and eliminate the overproduction of packaging waste in the European Union. This article discusses certain aspects of the proposal that could significantly affect both businesses and consumers.

The ambitious climate targets adopted by the European Union at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015 (the Paris Agreement) require decisive action across many sectors of the economy. The automotive industry will not be spared, and will soon be subject to a series of new regulations.

Facilitation of the process of obtaining an EU Blue Card in Poland, and digitalisation of the application procedure for granting residence permits, is provided for in a bill to amend the Foreigners Act.

 

According to estimates by Interpol and the United Nations Environment Programme, environmental crime is the fourth-largest area of criminality in the world. Offences against the environment are also a major source of income for organised crime. Countering these phenomena requires developing a common approach at the European level.

According to Eurostat figures for 2021, Poland has become the EU leader in cars registered per 1,000 inhabitants, at 687. At the same time, 37% of cars registered in Poland are 10–20 years old, and more than 41% are over 20 years old. Should Poles fear the adoption of a tax on combustion-engine cars?

The Ministry of Development and Transport has published a long-awaited bill on certification of public procurement contractors. Certification is expected to make it easier for contractors to prepare bids, and increase the transparency of the contractor vetting process.

Over 12.5 million tonnes of textile waste is generated every year in the European Union. Almost half of that is clothing or shoes. The average EU resident generates about 12 kg of textile waste per year. But there are no legal regulations in place facilitating sustainable management of such waste.

Each year, nearly a million used vehicles are exported from Europe, often in very poor condition. They mainly end up in Africa, where they pollute the environment and pose a risk to humans. At the same time, around 3.5 million vehicles a year disappear without a trace from European roads, presumably ending up illegally exported and dismantled. But they could be a source of spare parts and critical raw materials in Europe.