Hungarian government and consumer regulatory updates

Hungary has introduced a series of administrative, security, and consumer-focused regulatory changes. Effective September 1, the government implemented a restructuring of ministerial duties, centralizing public administration and personnel policy within the Ministry of the Prime Minister, while assigning cybersecurity and artificial intelligence oversight to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Simultaneously, new consumer protections were established, including ‘Right to Repair’ regulations that mandate manufacturers provide repairs for specific household appliances and electronics. These rules also extend product warranties by 12 months following warranty-related repairs.

Following these administrative shifts, the regulatory focus expanded toward sustainability and corporate governance. As of September 27, new rules aligned with the European Union’s EmpCo directive have entered into force to combat greenwashing. These regulations prohibit misleading environmental claims and uncertified sustainability labels. Under these rules, general terms such as ‘green’, ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘sustainable’, or ‘climate neutral’ are classified as high-risk unless supported by verifiable and measurable evidence.

These standards apply to all consumer-facing communications, including advertisements, packaging, and social media. For claims regarding future environmental performance, companies must maintain a public, time-bound implementation plan and may require independent expert audits. The Hungarian Competition Authority (Gazdasági Versenyhivatal) noted that the assessment of such claims will depend on how a consumer interprets them. Additionally, large enterprises face stricter ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosure requirements and mandatory audited sustainability reporting.