EU policy and strategy
All legal documents and guidance in one place. We collected relevant European and National regulations and strategic documents to guide stakeholders trough legal and regulatory environment
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Circular Economy
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Sectoral Strategies under Circular Economy
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European Green Deal & Climate Strategy
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Energy & Climate Governance
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Critical Raw Materials & Industrial Policy
National Policy – Hungary
Circular Economy
Given the finite nature of the Earth’s resources, the countries of the European Union are striving to transition their economies toward circular systems in the spirit of sustainability.
The circular economy is an economic model aimed at maximizing resource efficiency by extending the lifecycle of products, materials, and resources, while minimizing waste. Instead of the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” the circular economy focuses on recycling, repairing, reusing, and using renewable resources to create a closed-loop system.
The shifting to circular systems is key to achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050.
Sectoral Strategies under Circular Economy
Sectoral strategies under the circular economy aim to provide tailored, sustainable solutions for key material flows. These include the EU Plastics Strategy, policies on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, and specific approaches to glass and metal recycling. Additionally, strategies target the recycling of construction and demolition waste and electronic waste, promoting innovation, resource efficiency, and circularity across various industries.
European Green Deal & Climate Strategy
The European Green Deal is the European Union’s strategy, launched in 2019 to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Its goal is to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. The plan includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting renewable energy, promoting a circular economy, and protecting natural resources.
The key goals of the Green Deal:
- climate neutrality
- circular economy
- clean industry
- healthier environment
- more sustainable farming
- climate justice and fairness
Energy & Climate Governance
The EU’s Energy and Climate Governance framework provides a coordinated approach to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. At its core is Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, which establishes the governance system of the Energy Union and Climate Action, ensuring transparent and integrated planning and reporting across Member States.
Key tools include the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), in which Member States outline their 2030 targets and strategies. Hungary complements this with its National Clean Development Strategy 2020–2050, setting the long-term path to decarbonization and climate neutrality in line with the EU 2050 Long-Term Strategy.
Critical Raw Materials & Industrial Policy
The Critical Raw Materials Act, proposed in 2023, aims to secure the EU’s access to critical raw materials essential for clean technologies, digital infrastructure, and defense. It is designed to reduce supply risks and strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy. The Act supports the green and digital transitions, enhances industrial competitiveness, and strengthens the resilience of supply chains in the EU.
National Policy – Hungary
Hungary’s waste management and environmental regulations are aligned with EU directives and focus on promoting sustainability, circular economy principles, and pollution prevention. Key legislation includes the Act on Waste Management (2012/LXXXV), which sets the framework for waste prevention, selective collection, and recovery. Environmental protection is governed by the Act on Environmental Protection (1995/LIII), covering air, water, soil protection, and environmental impact assessments. Sector-specific regulations address hazardous waste, landfill operations, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and municipal waste management. These laws support Hungary’s transition toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.