Law & Sustainability
Emerging Trends in International Consumer Protection...
Alternative dispute resolution, sustainable development goals, sustainable consumption and production, European Union, environmental sustainability
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for environmentally sustainable production and consumption in line with the green transition within the European Union (EU); however, the EU is yet to fully incorporate Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms (ADR) in the resolution of environmental matters, let alone in providing redress for disgruntled consumers and traders. This paper attempts to analyse the effectiveness of the incorporation of ADR mechanisms in consumer protection disputes within the EU as an alternative to litigation, with a keen look at international emerging trends and international best practices.
WANJIRU, ANN WANJA
The Role of Corporate Responsibility and Quality Legislation in Achieving the Sustainable...
Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Due Diligence, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The adoption of Directive (EU) 2024/1760 on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) constitutes a significant step in the EU’s efforts to promote responsible business conduct. It imposes binding obligations on large companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights and environmental impacts throughout their operations and value chains. Member States must transpose the directive into national law within two years, raising important legal and practical challenges. This paper provides a legal analysis of the CSDDD, focusing on its scope, enforcement mechanisms, and alignment with principles of legislative quality. It places the directive within the broader international sustainability agenda, particularly the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the relevance of SDG 16 and SDG 17 to strengthening institutions and partnerships. The study also explores the evolving concept of corporate due diligence as a cornerstone of ethical governance. In the Hungarian context, it examines Act CVII of 2023 on ESG, identifying overlaps and gaps in relation to the CSDDD. This comparison offers insights into Hungary’s readiness for implementation. In addition to normative analysis, the paper showcases best practices from companies engaged in responsible conduct, illustrating how legal compliance can go hand in hand with positive social and environmental impact. The study further examines how the new unified directive fits within the broader framework of previous regulatory efforts from a legal perspective.
SZABÓ, ÉVA
Towards a Sustainable Occupational Safety Governance...
Economic growth, health, sustainability, technological changes, workplace safety
The aim of the study is to examine how sustainable occupational safety and health (OSH) practices, digitalisation, and corporate and employee attitudes contribute to economic and social sustainability. The research is justified by the fact that global sustainability expectations and technological development are increasingly linked to the issue of occupational safety, while the expectations of companies and employees are also constantly changing. The study was based on secondary research analysing international reports, scientific studies, and statistical data (e.g. ILO, EU-OSHA, European Commission, KPMG, Porter Novelli). The qualitative methodology used focused content analysis, with a focus on the prevalence of digital occupational safety technologies, the integration of sustainability management, and the attitude of stakeholders. The results show that the use of digital technologies such as sensors, wearables, and predictive analytics significantly increases compliance with occupational safety and health regulations, while integrating sustainability aspects reduces the number of accidents and costs for companies in the long run. Employer engagement and a positive corporate culture are critical factors in the success of sustainable occupational safety and health, while employees increasingly demand ethical and responsible corporate operations. The originality of the research lies in the fact that it examines the relationship between occupational safety and health digitalisation and the Sustainable Development Goals in an integrated way. Its findings are of practical application both in the field of corporate governance and in the development of occupational safety strategies.
NAGYNÉ, HOKSTOK KINGA
Environmental Governance and Legal Integration in the European Union under Digital Transformation
EU environmental law, sustainable development, governance, legal harmonisation, digital transformation
This paper examines how the European Union’s environmental governance and legal harmonisation are being reshaped by digital transformation. Using legal analysis, it explores how core environmental principles – such as the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principle, and the integration principle – are being operationalised through data-driven regulation, real-time environmental monitoring and cross-border digital cooperation. It analyses how these digital mechanisms can make regulation more targeted and adaptive, enhance compliance and transparency, and require new legal instruments for cross-border coordination. The findings suggest that digital tools have the potential to strengthen both environmental protection and legal harmonisation, while also posing challenges of data standardisation, interoperability, and institutional capacity. The paper concludes that EU environmental law can remain effective only if its legal frameworks are adapted to integrate these emerging digital instruments in a coherent and principle-based manner.
HOTTÓ, ISTVÁN
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