Business #9 Legislative focus

After intense negotiations, the Romanian Government has declared a fuel market crisis for the period 1 April – 30 June 2026 and adopted an emergency ordinance introducing measures to stabilize prices and ensure supply. The ordinance caps commercial margins for fuel operators at their 2025 average levels, and allows a temporary reduction of biofuel content in gasoline. Additionally, it imposes prior approval for diesel and crude oil exports, with stricter sanctions (up to 10% of turnover) for violations. The measures may be extended in 3-month intervals depending on market conditions.

The Ordinance, into force since March 27, has already reached the Parliament (Senate – first chamber), where the MPs could amend the provisions to better protect the consumers.

The measures are expected to limit fuel price increases, which is critical for companies relying on transport, logistics, and company fleets. This could help businesses better control operating costs in the short term. However, possible supply constraints or administrative burdens on fuel operators may indirectly affect availability or lead times, creating uncertainty in fuel procurement for companies across all sectors.

Companies should monitor fuel price developments and availability, reassess transport and logistics costs, and consider optimizing fleet usage or fuel consumption. Businesses should also stay alert to potential extensions of the measures and adjust operational planning accordingly.

Romania has new consumer protection rules for online financial services and sustainable products, in line with EU Directives 2023/2673 and 2024/825. According to the new emergency ordinance that was published in the Official Gazette, companies must provide clear and complete information on costs, terms, and environmental claims. They are also prohibited from using misleading “green” marketing unless backed by certified evidence. Consumers benefit from a 14-day withdrawal right for distance contracts, while companies must also inform users about software updates affecting products. The ordinance introduces standardized labeling, stricter sanctions for non-compliance, and new rules on product durability and repairability, with phased implementation between March and September 2026.

In this case as well, the Ordinance was registered in the Senate for approval and shall soon be submitted to the relevant committees for the start of the debates.

Companies selling online or promoting sustainable products will face stricter transparency and compliance requirements, especially around pricing, contract terms, and environmental claims. Businesses will need to substantiate “green” claims and adapt labelling, increasing compliance costs but also improving consumer trust and comparability across the EU market.

Businesses should review contracts, marketing materials, and product labels, ensure all environmental claims are properly certified, and implement processes to inform customers about software updates. Companies should also prepare for the phased deadlines and update internal compliance procedures to avoid sanctions.

The Government is set to align the national legislation on electronic signatures with the new eIDAS2 Regulation, through a draft ordinance proposed by the Ministry of Economy and Digitalization (MEDAT). The new rules clarify the legal status of all types of electronic signatures and seals, standardize their acceptance by public authorities, and simplify remote identification processes. Businesses will now have to ensure contracts and documents comply with specific signature types, properly archive electronic records, manage certificates and devices for remote signing. The ordinance also introduces harmonized technical standards and deadlines for full implementation by September 2026.

After the public debate period, the Ordinance shall be adopted by the Government (in early April). We do expect the companies from the e-signature industry to propose amendments, whether they will be assumed by the Executive in a new version of the ordinance or not.

Businesses that use digital contracts, online transactions, or remote signing services will face new compliance requirements. This includes ensuring the correct type of signature or seal is applied, storing and managing electronic records securely, coordinating with registered trust service providers, and updating internal workflows to meet MEDAT and ADR standards. While these obligations may increase operational tasks and costs, they will also enhance legal certainty, trust, and interoperability in digital transactions across Romania and the EU.

Companies should review all digital signing processes, IT systems, and contracts to ensure compliance with signature types, archiving, and reporting rules. Staff training, coordination with trust service providers, and internal compliance updates should be completed before September 2026 to avoid penalties.

The Romanian Senate (first chamber) has rejected a USR proposal aimed at preventing workplace burnout through organizational and psychosocial measures, without requiring medical diagnosis. The draft bill would have required employers to inform employees about psychosocial risks, include these risks in overall risk assessments, and implement specific measures for companies with more than 50 employees. Key provisions included annual prevention plans, confidential reporting channels, optional paid recovery days, voluntary psycho-emotional counselling, and guidance from the Ministry of Labour on non-clinical support measures.

Despite being rejected by the first chamber, this bill still has chances of passing the Parliament, as the Chamber of Deputies will soon start the debates on this issue.

Companies with over 50 employees would have faced additional compliance obligations, including risk assessments, prevention planning, and potentially subsidizing counseling services. While increasing administrative work, the measures aimed to improve employee well-being, reduce burnout, and boost productivity and retention across the workforce.

Businesses should closely monitor the legislative process of this initiative, as the deputies have the final say. Until then, companies can voluntarily adopt similar practices by implementing internal reporting mechanisms and offering recovery days or counseling services to employees.

Despite the opposition’s effort to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court, Romania’s 2026 state budget law was finally published in the Official Gazette. The law sets the state budget with revenues of about 390.6 billion lei and spending of about 526.3 billion lei. This results in a budget deficit of approximately 135.7 billion lei. The budget sets a macroeconomic framework with 1.0% GDP growth, total GDP of 2,045.2 billion RON, and an average net wage increase of 5.5%. We remind you that PSD secured in Parliament the approval for its €1.1 billion “solidarity packag,” within the 2026 budget, supporting 2.8 million pensioners and nearly 300,000 children in low-income or single-parent households.

The focus on infrastructure, energy, and NRRP-supported programs is expected to stimulate demand for goods, services, and construction, benefiting companies involved in these sectors. Measures also maintain predictable taxation and public sector wage policies, providing stability for businesses operating in Romania.

Businesses should monitor public investment opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, and NRRP projects, to identify contracts and funding opportunities. Companies may also align financial planning with projected public spending and wage policies, and explore partnerships in sectors targeted by EU-funded programs or state-supported initiatives.