Business #34 Legislative focus

The Environment Ministry has signed and published the guide for the AFM programme financing battery storage systems for individuals who are prosumers. AFM will cover up to 75% of eligible costs, capped at RON 15,000, with batteries of at least 10 kWh eligible. Projects must be implemented through validated AFM installers, while beneficiaries cover at least 25% of costs and any non-eligible expenses, such as a required hybrid inverter.

The programme is aimed at individuals, but creates business opportunities for companies seeking to become AFM-approved installers. Eligible companies must hold an ANRE type B authorisation or equivalent for at least 12 months and cannot subcontract the installation of storage systems or inverters.

The European Commission has adopted the draft Skills Portability Act, creating an EU-wide system for issuing, storing and verifying professional qualifications digitally. Qualifications would be available through the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI) and employers would be able to verify their authenticity, issuer accreditation and validity across Member States. Now the draft regulation has already been sent to the EU Council for the start of the debates.

The system could simplify recruitment across EU countries, reducing manual checks and administrative costs for companies hiring internationally. Digital verification will be available to employers, but companies will not be required to use it or to accept digital qualifications.

The European Commission has also proposed a directive on mandatory EU digital process for recognising professional qualifications in regulated professions, with a single platform for applications, shorter deadlines and limited fees. Authorities would generally need to verify missing documents within one week and issue a decision within two weeks once the application is complete. In this case as well, the proposed directive reached the EU Council for the start of the debates.

The proposal could make cross-border recruitment faster and more predictable for companies hiring professionals with qualifications from other EU countries. It does not introduce direct obligations for companies, while lower administrative costs and shorter recognition procedures could make international recruitment easier.