Legal
Government approves mandatory employers’ contribution to employees' savings
The pension system reform will bring about a major change for employees in certain high-risk jobs. As they will no longer be able to retire early without their pension being cut, the new law includes the obligation for employers to contribute to…
Riskiest systems stopped: AI Act in effect
As of August 2024, the EU Regulation laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (the AI Act) has been in force. A first wave of effects has arrived, as from 2 February 2025 the regulation bans the use of certain AI systems that the…
Trump tightens US immigration policy. Will Czech visa applicants be affected?
On 20 January 2025, just hours after taking the oath of office, US President Donald Trump issued six executive orders covering various areas of immigration policy. These orders, already announced during his election campaign, are intended to…
Anti-Trust Office hands out million-crown fines: How to avoid problems with supplier…
In the past year, the Office for the Protection of Competition conducted numerous on-site investigations concerning significant market power, involving e.g., hotel restaurants, wholesalers, and non-food e-shops. The office focused on whether they…
Amendment to Lex Ukraine headed to president for signature
The senate has passed an amendment to the law allowing the extension of the temporary protection of Ukrainian citizens. Some of them will also qualify for special long-term residence permit. The amendment, also known as "Lex Ukraine VII", contains…
New ESPR regulation bans destruction of unsold clothes
The EU has introduced its new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) which applies to most products and aims to improve their sustainability and promote the circular economy. Below we summarise what exactly the regulation introduces…
Changes in protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications
Currently, the EU does offer any protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications for craft and industrial products and mineral waters and salts. However, this should soon change, and thus, users of existing national protection of…
Workplace equality after takeover of employees: how to address differences?
A merger, purchase of a part of business, or transfer of activity: these are the typical situations when employees are automatically (by operation of law) transferred from their original employer to the acquiring entity. This process, referred to as…
New regulation of kratom and low-level THC content cannabis
‘New’ or ‘designer’ drugs like kratom are rapidly changing the market of addictive substances, and their sale needs to be regulated. Under the new rules, it will only be possible to buy such products in specialised shops. Rules are also being…
New rules for fleet insurance and its intermediaries
Responding to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in case C-633/20 TC Medical Air Ambulance Agency, which dealt with the interpretation of the term ‘insurance mediation,’ the Czech Chamber of Deputies is currently…
EU deforestation regulation to significantly affect imports and exports
The EU regulation introducing stricter rules for the import and export of coffee, palm oil, wood or rubber will start to apply on 30 December 2024. It is therefore high time for companies to prepare for the new obligations.
Demerger by separation: new type of business conversion for more efficient…
A major amendment to the Act on Conversions of Commercial Companies and Cooperatives (the Company Conversion Act) effective from 19 July 2024 has introduced a new type of conversion: the demerger by separation. This extends the range of companies’…