Romania has transposed the EU Directive on empowering consumers for the green transition (the “EmpCo Directive”) through Government Emergency Ordinance No. 18/2026 (“GEO 18/2026”), published on 26 March 2026. The rules target greenwashing, strengthen sustainability labelling and expand pre-sale disclosure obligations. The changes are particularly relevant to manufacturers, distributors and sellers of consumer goods.

1. Green Claims and Sustainability Labels

A voluntary sustainability label — any eco-mark, “green” logo or similar certification — may appear on products or marketing materials only if the certification scheme behind it meets all four of the following conditions: (i) open, transparent, fair and non-discriminatory access; (ii) standards developed with relevant experts and stakeholders; (iii) procedures for withdrawal or suspension in case of non-compliance; and (iv) independent third-party monitoring.

The following practices are considered unfair in all circumstances, with no need to prove that consumers were actually harmed:

• Displaying a sustainability label not based on a qualifying certification scheme;
• Making a generic environmental claim (e.g. “eco-friendly product”, “sustainable”, “bio”) without being able to demonstrate recognized excellent environmental performance;
• Claiming environmental credentials for an entire product when the claim relates to only one aspect or component of it;
• Asserting that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive climate impact based on greenhouse-gas emission offsetting;
• Presenting a legal requirement common to all products in a category as a distinctive feature of the trader’s offer;
• Falsely claiming that a good has a particular usage durability under normal conditions.

Furthemore, claims such as “net-zero by 2040” or “climate-neutral by 2035” must be backed by a detailed, realistic implementation plan with measurable, time-bound targets. The plan must be periodically verified by an independent expert, and the findings made available to consumers. The verification obligation is ongoing — a compliant claim can become non-compliant if verification lapses.

2. Pre-Contractual Information: What Must Be Disclosed

For distance contracts (including online sales), traders must disclose the following to consumers before the contract is concluded:

• the legal conformity guarantee (minimum two years), displayed using a standardized harmonized label;
• any commercial durability guarantee offered free of charge, covering the entire product and exceeding two years, also displayed using a harmonized label;
• available ecological delivery options, if any;
• the availability, estimated cost and ordering procedure for spare parts, as well as any repair restrictions.

3. Enforcement and Sanctions

Enforcement operates on two levels. The outright banned practices listed above require no proof of consumer harm — the practice itself triggers sanctions. For other misleading sustainability claims, the authority must show the practice is likely to affect a consumer’s purchasing decision.

The fines are significant:

• up to RON 100,000 for unfair commercial practices (including greenwashing);
• those limits double where more than 100 consumers are affected;
• for large-scale EU-wide infringements, the sanction can reach 4% of the trader’s annual turnover in Romania;
• failure to implement the mandatory online withdrawal function carries separate fines of RON 5,000–15,000 per violation (applicable from 19 June 2026).

Companies should complete their review of environmental claims, labels, packaging, marketing materials and pre-contractual documentation by 27 September 2026. The online withdrawal function applies earlier, from 19 June 2026:

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