Women on company boards face the same liability rules

Greater representation for women on company boards does not come with reduced responsibility. Under Poland’s new rules, female directors and other members of corporate bodies remain subject to the same standards when their decisions are assessed.

Competence, diligence, compliance with the law and regard for the company’s interests remain the key criteria. A referral to the Constitutional Tribunal does not currently suspend the legislation, so the provisions remain binding unless the court later finds them unconstitutional.

President Karol Nawrocki signed the law implementing Directive 2022/2381, known as the European Union’s “Women on Boards” directive, on July 30, 2026. He then sent it to the tribunal for subsequent review.

The law appeared in Poland’s Journal of Laws on Aug. 3 and entered into force 14 days later, on Aug. 18. Since then, its provisions have applied to companies, supervisory bodies and all other entities covered by the rules.