NNDKP Environment Flash No.7/2026
1. EU DEVELOPMENTS SELECTION
1.1. Council supports the proposal to strengthen the carbon border adjustment mechanism
On 12 June 2026, the Council agreed on its position regarding the revision of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (“CBAM”).
The proposed amendments aim, among others, to expand the scope of the CBAM to additional product categories, address loopholes that could facilitate the circumvention of its obligations, clarify the applicable procedural framework, and define more precisely the limits of the European Commission’s delegated powers regarding the granting of exemptions.
More information on the CBAM can be found in the following NNDKP Environment Flashes: No. 5/2025, available here, No. 6/2025, available here, No. 9/2025, available here, No. 10/2025, available here and No. 1/2026, available here.
1.2. Council agrees on its position regarding the simplification of environmental legislation
On 24 June 2026, the Council adopted its position on the European Commission’s proposal on simplifying the rules and procedures governing industrial emissions, the circular economy, and geospatial data.
The legislative package includes, among others, measures to streamline environmental assessments, reduce administrative burdens, and temporarily suspend certain requirements regarding the appointment of authorised representatives under extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes.
More information on the simplification proposal can be found in NNDKP’s Environment Flash No. 1/2026, available here.
1.3. European Commission adopts new rules on the recycling of single-use plastic bottles
On 30 June 2026, the European Commission adopted new rules on the calculation, verification, and reporting of recycled content in single-use plastic beverage bottles made primarily from polyethylene terephthalate (PET bottles).
The new rules establish, for the first time, a methodology applicable to both mechanical and chemical recycling technologies, ensuring transparency in determining the recycled content used in the production of new single-use PET bottles.
2. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS SELECTION
2.1. New methodology for the identification of priority biodiversity areas
On 3 June 2026, Order No. 1066/2026 approving the Methodology for the identification of priority biodiversity areas was published in the Official Gazette No. 468.
The Order sets out, among others, the criteria and methodology for identifying biodiversity priority areas based on the type of ecosystems, habitats, and protected natural areas concerned.
It also establishes the legal framework applicable to such areas, including the non-intervention regime.
More information on the draft order can be found in NNDKP’s Environment Flash No. 5/2026, available here.
2.2. Proposed amendments to the Waters Law for combating illegal mineral aggregate extraction
On 3 June 2026, a legislative proposal amending, among others, the Waters Law No. 107/1996 (the “Waters Law”) was registered with the Senate, with the aim of combating the practice of illegal mineral aggregate extraction under the guise of establishing fishponds and recreational lakes.
Among the main amendments to the Waters Law is the introduction of a maximum period of two years from the issuance of the water management permit for the completion of works to construct a fishpond or a recreational lake involving the extraction of mineral aggregates, with the possibility of a single extension of up to one additional year.
It is also proposed to amend the sanctions regime by increasing fines, providing for the confiscation of equipment used in the commission of administrative and/or criminal offences, and establishing as a criminal offence the operation without an environmental authorization of activities related to fishponds and recreational lakes that involve the extraction of mineral aggregates.
2.3. Legislative proposal on the electronic notification of the expiry of individual administrative acts
On 17 June 2026, a legislative proposal was registered with the Senate introducing the obligation of public authorities and institutions to transmit electronic prior notifications to beneficiaries regarding the approaching expiry of individual administrative acts issued with a determined validity period (e.g, the water management authorisations).
The notification is exclusively informative in nature, does not modify, suspend or extend the validity of the administrative act, and must be transmitted at least 60 days before expiry.
The provision of contact details for notification purposes is optional and does not constitute a condition for the issuance of the act.
2.4. Draft law on strengthening the sanctions regime in the field of environmental protection
On 18 June 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry (“MEWF”) launched for public consultation a draft law amending and supplementing several legislative acts in the field of environmental protection, with a view to transposing Directive 2024/1203 on the protection of the environment through criminal law.
The proposal aims, among others, to revise the legal framework governing general environmental offences (provided by GEO No. 195/2005 on environmental protection), as well as offences relating to waste management and marine pollution.
Also, it introduces new criteria for assessing environmental damages.
2.5. Draft law on the amendment of water legislation
On 18 June 2026, a draft law amending and supplementing several legislative acts in the water sector was submitted to the Senate.
The amendments introduced by the draft law aim, among others, to strengthen the financing framework for investments in water management infrastructure, introduce digitalisation and monitoring measures for the use of water resources, and expand the categories of activities and operators subject to the obligations set out under the Waters Law.
2.6. Proposed amendments to the procedure for issuing the integrated environmental authorization
On 23 June 2026, the MEWF launched for public consultation a draft order amending the Procedure for issuing the integrated environmental authorization, approved by Order No. 818/2003.
The draft provides for reducing, from 30 to 20 business days, the time limit within which the environmental protection authority must carry out certain responsibilities following the completion of the procedure for issuing the integrated environmental authorisation.
It also simplifies the documentation submission requirements, by requiring only one hard copy of the application form and its supporting documents (instead of three copies), together with one electronic copy.
2.7. Draft Government Decision on the amendment of certain normative acts in the environmental protection field
On 24 June 2026, the MEWF launched for public consultation a draft Government Decision amending and supplementing certain legislative acts in the field of environmental protection.
The draft provides, among others, for the establishment, within the National Agency for Environment and Protected Areas (“ANMAP”), of a Scientific Council for Natural Protected Areas, acting as the scientific authority for the protected areas under ANMAP’s administration, composed of 11 full members and 3 alternate members with proven expertise and experience in the conservation and management of protected areas.
Both EU and national developments are listed chronologically.
The Romanian version of this newsletter is available here.
