Romania
Who the end-of-life vehicle rules cover in Romania
End-of-life vehicles EPR in Romania is built on physical take-back, not a tonnage register. Legea 212/2015 (transposing Directive 2000/53/EC, amended by Legea 110/2024) puts the duty on vehicle manufacturers and professional importers that first place a vehicle or brand on the Romanian market.
The scope is narrow compared to other streams. Parts sellers and used-car dealers are not the vehicle's producer. The obligation follows whoever first put the brand on the market.
- Vehicle manufacturers selling in Romania
- Professional importers bringing vehicles into Romania
- Companies placing a new vehicle brand on the Romanian market
The last owner can hand the vehicle in at no cost, whatever its scrap value. That free-return guarantee is central to the directive. The regime is separate from the AFM-administered streams like packaging or tyres.
How the Romanian take-back route works
Romania has no dedicated ELV producer register. The duty is physical: accept end-of-life vehicles and ensure treatment through authorised facilities.
An authorised treatment facility issues the certificate of destruction under Commission Decision 2002/151/EC.
Since 2015, the recovery targets apply: at least 95% of vehicle weight reused or recovered, at least 85% reused or recycled. Four heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium) are restricted in new vehicle materials, with limited exemptions.
Where the money goes in Romania
The cost sits in the take-back and treatment obligation, not in a tonnage-based scheme fee. There is no AFM contribution for vehicles and no annual Fund declaration.
Producers must ensure that authorised treatment facilities can process their vehicles. The financial burden is the collection and recovery infrastructure, not a per-kilogram charge to a national fund.
No authorised representative route is confirmed for ELV in Romania. The AR routes verified in Romania cover electronics and batteries only.
What changes next in Romania
A new EU ELV Regulation cleared the European Parliament on 18 June 2026 and awaits formal Council sign-off. It will widen scope to motorcycles, trucks and buses, but Directive 2000/53/EC remains in force meanwhile.
Enforcement is under Legea 212/2015, which carries its own sanction provisions. No specific penalty amount is confirmed in published sources.
Frequently asked questions about end-of-life vehicles EPR in Romania
Common questions for vehicle producers and importers.
Who has to register for end-of-life vehicles EPR in Romania?
Vehicle manufacturers and professional importers that first place a vehicle or brand on the Romanian market. Parts sellers and used-car dealers are not producers under Legea 212/2015.
How much does end-of-life vehicles EPR cost in Romania?
There is no tonnage-based scheme fee or AFM contribution. The cost is the physical take-back and treatment obligation through authorised facilities.
What happens if I sell without registering?
Romania has no dedicated ELV producer register, so the question is about the take-back duty itself. Failing to accept end-of-life vehicles or ensure treatment through authorised facilities is a breach of Legea 212/2015.
Which register covers end-of-life vehicles in Romania?
No dedicated ELV producer register exists. The obligations are physical (take-back, treatment, certificate of destruction) rather than register-and-report.
For the full picture of Romanian EPR obligations across all streams, see the country overview.
