Regulatory Gaps in Hydrogen Technology in the Shadow of the Green Transition : Complex Legal and Safety-Technical Anomalies in the Establishment of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations

Hasulyó, Gábor (2026) Regulatory Gaps in Hydrogen Technology in the Shadow of the Green Transition : Complex Legal and Safety-Technical Anomalies in the Establishment of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations. STUDIA JURIDICA ET POLITICA JAURINENSIS, 13 (1). pp. 39-51. ISSN 2064-5902

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Abstract

The proliferation of hydrogen-based transport and energy storage is fundamentally contingent upon a coherent regulatory framework tailored to the technology's specificities. Through a comprehensive analysis of the Hungarian regulatory environment, this study demonstrates that hydrogen-related norms currently lack a unified structure, imposing significant administrative burdens and economic uncertainty on market participants. The author examines taxation, urban planning, occupational safety, and fire protection regulations in detail, with particular focus on deficiencies in excise regulations and the safety-technical deficits within the National Hydrogen Strategy. The paper analyses the forced application of international standards to fill regulatory gaps and formulates detailed proposals for harmonizing disaster management intervention protocols with domestic legal frameworks. The study reveals that quality assurance shortcomings in NFM Decree 17/2017 and the absence of defined excise tax rates act as direct barriers to investment, while the stringent installation restrictions of the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Framework (TÉKA) hinder the development of residential infrastructure. The study concludes that technological progress has far outpaced legislation, necessitating immediate intervention. The author proposes specific recommendations for issuing an independent, hydrogen-specific disaster management guide and supplementing the Technical Guidelines for Fire Protection (TvMI) regarding explosion protection. The findings highlight that the objectives of the National Hydrogen Strategy cannot be met without integrating safety-technical considerations, and that resolving environmental permitting anomalies burdening green technologies is essential for establishing a sustainable hydrogen economy. This article aims to provide a scientifically grounded roadmap for legislators and technical planners to mitigate risks arising from regulatory hiatuses.

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