This is the 2107th most frequent Polish word.
obowiązywać
"Obowiązywać" means "to be in force" or "to apply."
In this sentence, 'obowiązywać' means to be in effect or to apply, referring to regulations or rules.
Nowe przepisy zaczęły obowiązywać od początku roku.
New regulations have been in effect since the beginning of the year.
Here, 'obowiązywać' indicates that the law is applicable or enforceable among a specified group.
Prawo obowiązuje wszystkich obywateli.
The law applies to all citizens.
In this context, 'obowiązywać' refers to the future application or enforcement of rules or policies.