Bulgarian Parliament advances consumer protection and anti-SLAPP laws

The Bulgarian Parliament is processing several legislative updates. Among the key measures is the adoption of amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, which aim to align national law with EU Directive 2023/2673. These changes establish minimum protection levels for consumers of financial services purchased remotely, requiring clearer pre-contractual information and easier digital mechanisms for exercising the right to cancel contracts.

Additionally, lawmakers are reviewing changes to the Civil Procedure Code to combat Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). Introduced by the Council of Ministers, this measure seeks to protect journalists, human rights defenders, and the scientific community from unfounded legal actions intended to exert reputational or economic pressure.

Other legislative items on the agenda include updates to the Air Purity Act to comply with EU regulations regarding ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated greenhouse gases, and amendments to the Private Security Activity Act to allow security personnel to be hired under supplementary employment contracts. The Parliament is also set to ratify a memorandum regarding the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021–2028 and a convention on mutual administrative assistance in tax matters.