The Foundation For The Defense Of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) has highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Romania in aligning its domestic legislation with European Union directives. At present, Romania is the subject of three infringement procedures initiated by the European Commission. Furthermore, there is a risk of another 15 similar procedures being initiated by 2025 due to the failure to fully implement European legislation. This could result in Romania being compelled to pay substantial financial penalties, which would have an effect on the national budget and, by extension, all citizens.
The European Commission has initiated three infringement proceedings against Romania for its failure to transpose the Motor Third Party Liability and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Directives in a timely manner. These delays may result in substantial financial penalties and potentially impact Romania's credibility within the European Union.
FACIAS has highlighted 15 directives with a transposition deadline of the end of 2024 for which Romania is at risk of new infringement procedures if they are not fully implemented. Moreover, in April 2023, the European Commission initiated infringement proceedings against Romania for the erroneous transposition of Directive 2014/17/EU on mortgage credit. Despite Romania's assertion to the contrary, the Commission has stated that certain key aspects of the Directive have not been adequately implemented, particularly with regard to the capacity of credit intermediaries authorised in other Member States to operate in Romania without additional authorisations or registrations.
It is important to note that, since acceding to the European Union, Romania has been the subject of numerous infringement proceedings due to its failure to transpose and implement European legislation. These procedures have pertained to various areas, including the environment, justice and energy. For instance, on December 10, 2020, Romania was fined €3 million for its failure to transpose Directive (EU) 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering or terrorist financing in a timely manner. Furthermore, in 2023, Romania was subject to a financial penalty of €1.5 million by the Court of Justice of the European Union for its failure to close 31 non-compliant landfills, accompanied by penalties of €600 per day for each landfill that remained unclosed until full compliance was achieved.
FACIAS will continue its efforts to persuade those responsible to identify and implement effective solutions so that Romania avoids financial sanctions and fulfills its obligations within the European Union.