EU and Poland roll out sweeping 2026‑2027 regulatory reforms

From 2026 into 2027 the European Union and Poland are introducing a series of new regulations that affect workplaces, consumer goods and digital services. In Poland, employers must halt work when indoor temperatures exceed 35 °C (or 32 °C for heavy outdoor labor) and take preventive measures once temperatures reach 28 °C (or 25 °C for strenuous tasks). Simultaneously, amendments to the sick‑leave (L4) rules will allow workers with multiple contracts to stay on sick leave for one job while continuing duties for another, subject to a doctor’s assessment.

The EU's eco‑design regulation will forbid the destruction of unsold clothing, footwear and textiles from July 2026, requiring manufacturers to reuse, recycle or donate excess stock and to report disposal figures. A separate EU directive on platform work aims to improve protections for gig‑economy workers, with Polish authorities expected to transpose the rules by December 2026. New AI transparency guidelines, also effective August 2026, impose labeling obligations on generative‑AI outputs and require providers to make it clear when users are interacting with AI systems; non‑compliance can attract fines of up to €15 million or 3 % of annual turnover.

Additional reforms include mandatory electronic occupational‑medicine certificates in Poland from October 2026 and a Slovak law, effective 31 July 2026, that strengthens consumers’ right to repair electronic devices by obligating manufacturers to offer parts and repair services at reasonable prices.