Navigating commercial law changes in BiH, Croatia, Türkiye and Ukraine: key developments for businesses
Published in February 2025
Welcome to the 3rd edition of our Commercial Newsletter, Commercial Law DIGEST, where we bring you key legal and regulatory updates from across Europe:
Recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Türkiye and Ukraine have resulted in important regulatory updates in trade law, digital services, sustainability, consumer protection, and taxation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has implemented a new trade law that expands the definition of traders to include individuals, associations, and farmers, provided they meet specific conditions. The law introduces clearer regulations for e-commerce, focusing on retailer responsibilities related to discounts, sales incentives, and price calculations. It also strengthens inspection controls and imposes harsher penalties for violations to create a fairer and more transparent trading environment.
In Croatia, the government is progressing toward adopting the EU Digital Services Act, which will regulate digital services across the country. The Cybersecurity Act has also been passed, aligning the country with the EU NIS 2 Directive to enhance cybersecurity measures and enforcement. Additionally, retail price controls have been expanded with the list of essential products under government regulation expanding from 30 to 70 to protect consumers from inflation.
Türkiye's regulatory landscape is evolving with a focus on corporate sustainability and consumer rights. Large corporations, public companies, and banks will now be required to comply with mandatory sustainability reporting. Consumer protection has been reinforced with increased fines for excessive pricing and market disruptions. Product safety regulations for exports have been strengthened, while online advertising has come under scrutiny, with the Constitutional Court overturning website-wide bans on unfair ads due to concerns over freedom of expression.
In Ukraine, tax and military draft reforms are reshaping the business landscape. A significant increase in military taxes and corporate taxes for financial companies and banks has been introduced, while new tax obligations for gas stations have also been implemented. On the administrative front, businesses can apply for reserving employees only through the Diia Portal. The government has also simplified salary checks for critical businesses, while specialists in prosthetics and orthopedics are now exempt from employee reservation limits.
These updates reflect ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory clarity, improve consumer and business protections, and align with international standards in these countries.
Stay informed with our in-depth coverage of these important developments and more in this edition.
