Hungary Launches Blacklist to Unlock EU Funds

The Hungarian Integrity Authority is launching a public registry of economic operators excluded from public procurement due to prior criminal activity. The move marks a key step in fulfilling Hungary's commitment to the European Union to restore access to its frozen EU funds, according to Euronews.

The database, accessible through Hungary's electronic procurement system, is designed to prevent companies whose management, executives or beneficial owners have been legally convicted of certain criminal offenses from participating in government contracts.

The authority said the measure is not intended to stigmatize companies, but to prevent the misuse of public funds.

The system also allows for so-called "self-cleaning". Companies may request removal from the list if they demonstrate that they have fully compensated for damage caused or undertaken to do so by a specified deadline, cooperated actively with authorities in clarifying the case, and implemented personnel and organizational measures to prevent a recurrence of criminal activity.

(max)