What’s new in environmental law?
A lot has happened in the area of environmental law in Poland in the past few months. We have learned the levels of environmental fees for 2026 and the rates for fines for emission of excess noise for 2026. Proposals have been released for a new Act on Packaging and Waste Packaging and an amendment of the provisions on the operations of the Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. And work is now complete at the EU level on provisions for reducing food waste and for handling textile waste.
EPR for textiles, and combatting food waste
The amendment to the Waste Framework Directive extending the responsibility of producers of textile products, and also setting targets for reducing food waste, enters into force on 16 October 2025. Poland will have until 17 June 2027 to implement the new provisions. But businesses need to be prepared even earlier.
Eliminating the distinction between registered shares and bearer shares, and more—the proposed amendment to the Commercial Companies Code
It is with a tear in my eye that I recall the era of M&A deals where at the closing, the seller delivered stock certificates to the buyer. The revolutionary change in this respect came with the 2021 amendment to the Commercial Companies Code, introducing mandatory dematerialisation of shares. Now the changes are going even further.
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Voting by mail by shareholders at the general meeting of a public joint-stock company
Shareholders of a public company can take part in the general meeting of shareholders personally at the location where the meeting is held, via electronic communications, or by mail balloting. What is mail balloting, and why is this method of voting at general meetings so rarely used in public companies?
Public-private partnerships for military infrastructure: The European Investment Bank’s recommendations for Poland
The opportunities for using public-private partnerships in the Polish defence sector are attracting greater and greater attention. This is particularly evident in the context of the current challenges in implementing the Pact for the Security of Poland—Central Pomerania and the recommendations from the European Investment Bank for execution of key infrastructure projects. The Pact for the Security of Poland report was announced on 5 September 2025 in the Pomeranian city of Ustka. This strategic document calls for implementation of key infrastructure projects, including upgrading of seaports, expansion of transhipment terminals, and adapting road and rail networks for military transport.
Want to enter the defence sector? Start with a facility security clearance
The defence sector in Poland and Europe as a whole is growing at a pace not seen for decades. Increased state budget expenditures, new financial instruments (EDF, SAFE, ReArm Europe, Poland’s Security and Defence Fund), and the openness of state-run entities to cooperation with private industry are creating genuine business opportunities for Polish and foreign firms. More and more businesses, including those in the civilian economy, are considering taking part in projects for the Polish Armed Forces or submitting bids in tenders for strategic supplies, services and infrastructure.
What does the Data Act regulate, and what is its significance for businesses?
The Data Act became applicable on 12 September 2025. What do businesses need to pay attention to under this new EU-wide regulation?
The corporate value of effective whistleblowing systems
Whistleblowing became a buzzword in Poland in 2024 following the delayed implementation of the EU’s Whistleblower Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law) (WBD). By September 2024, most private companies in Poland were required to comply with national legislation mandating internal policies for reporting and follow-up actions. At the time, many organisations scrambled to meet these statutory requirements—some were fine-tuning existing speak-up channels to align with the new law, while others were building a framework from scratch. The business press was flooded with discussions on compliance, and webinars and seminars on the topic were everywhere. However, much of the focus was on setting up reporting channels and policies, often overlooking the broader significance and long-term impact of these changes.
Access by contractors from third countries—amendment of the Public Procurement Law
Today, 9 September 2025, an amendment to the Public Procurement Law entered into force which fundamentally changes the rules for access to the Polish public procurement market by contractors from certain third countries. The changes result from EU competition policy and judgments from the Court of Justice recognising this concept in cases C-652/22 Kolin Inşaat Turizm Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ and C-266/22 CRRC Qingdao Sifang.
NGOs will be able to challenge local air quality programmes
On 25 August 2025 a bill to amend the Environmental Protection Law was posted on the Government Legislation Centre website. The proposal awards ecological organisations, among others, the right to challenge air protection programmes, revisions to such programmes, and sort-term action plans in this area.
Civil Procedure Code amendment—electronic service and mediation
On 21 August 2025, the President of Poland signed the Act of 5 August 2025 Amending the Civil Procedure Code, the Civil Code and Certain Other Acts. The key changes involve electronic service of documents, digitalisation of appellate instruments, and the increased importance of mediation.
Civil Procedure Code amendment—no more rejection of pleadings for trivial reasons
The recent amendment to the Civil Procedure Code repealed a problematic regulation that allowed the courts to reject pleadings. The regulation was abused in practice, delaying court proceedings.
