Romania - Labeling/Marking RequirementsRomania - Labeling

Summary
There is a broad array of EU legislation pertaining to the marking, labeling, and packaging of products, with neither an “umbrella” law covering all goods nor any central directory containing information on marking, labeling, and packaging requirements.  This overview is meant to provide the reader with a general introduction to the multitude of marking, labeling, and packaging requirements or marketing tools to be found in the EU.

Introduction
The first step in investigating the marking, labeling, and packaging legislation that might apply to a product entering the EU is to draw a distinction between what is mandatory and what is voluntary.  This text is focused primarily on the mandatory marks and labels seen most often on consumer products and packaging, which are typically related to public safety, health, and/or environmental concerns.  It also includes a brief overview of a few mandatory packaging requirements, as well as more common voluntary marks and/or labels used in EU markets.
It is also important to distinguish between marks and labels.  A mark is a symbol and/or pictogram that appears on a product or its respective packaging.  These range in scope from signs of danger to indications of methods of proper recycling and disposal.  The intention of such marks is to provide market surveillance authorities, importers, distributors, and end-users with information concerning safety, health, energy efficiency, and/or environmental issues relating to a product.  Labels, on the other hand, appear in the form of written text or numerical statements, which may be required but are not necessarily universally recognizable.  Labels typically indicate more specific information about a product, such as measurements, or an indication of materials that may be found in the product (such as in textiles or batteries).

Mandatory Marks & Labels

• Textiles
• Cosmetics
• Dangerous Substances
• Explosive Atmosphere
• Electrical & Electronic Equipment
• Household Appliances           
• Pricing
• Footwear
• Units of Measurement
• Automotive
• Tire labeling
• Maritime
• Materials in Contact with Food
• Noise Emissions
• Wood packaging
• Energy Efficiency

• Cup/Fork Symbol (material in contact with food)
• Eco-Label                                           
• Green Dot
• Energy Star
• ‘e’ Mark
• Recycling Marks

Mandatory Marks & Labels

• Cableway installations
• Civil explosives
• Construction products
• Electrical/electronic products
• Electromagnetic compatibility
• Low voltage
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances
• Energy efficiency
• Equipment and protective systems in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
• Gas appliances
• Hot water boilers
• Lifts
• Machinery
• Medical devices
• Non-automatic weighing instruments
• Personal protective equipment
• Pressure equipment
• Radio equipment
• Recreational crafts
• Refrigeration appliances
• Simple pressure vessels
• Toys

• Life-saving appliances
• Marine pollution prevention
• Fire protection
• Navigation equipment
• Radio-communication equipment

• The name, trade name and address, or registered office of the manufacturer or person responsible for marketing the cosmetic product within the Community
• The nominal contents at the time of packaging (by weight or volume)
• The date of minimum durability indicated by "Best before end," for products with a minimum durability of less than 30 months
• The period after opening during which the product can be used without harm to the consumer, for products with a minimum durability of less than 30 months
• Particular precautions for use
• The batch number or product reference, for identification
• The product’s function

• The name of the substance
• The origin of the substance (the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor)
• The danger symbol and an indication of danger involved in the use of the substance
• A reference to the special risks arising from such dangers.

Voluntary Marks and Labels

The Eco-label program has recently been expanded to cover fish and fishery products.  This means that eco-labeled products have been produced in accordance with specific environmental standards.

Private eco-labels have been developed by the seafood industry to “influence the purchasing decision of consumers and the procurement policies of retailers selling seafood products, to reward producers involved in responsible fishing and aquaculture practices leading towards sustainable use of natural resources.”

There are multiple eco-label schemes, and logos, developed by a variety of operators and according to different characteristics.  This confusing situation has led to a need for harmonization and coherence.  In response, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed a “Guideline for the Eco-Labeling of Fish and Fishery Products from Marine Capture Fisheries” (http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1119t/i1119t.pdf).

The U.S. government has decided not to engage in the development of such marketing tool.  Instead, NOAA Fisheries has developed a comprehensive website where stakeholders, including consumers, can find facts about a specific species of fish and related fisheries.  Consumers can then make their own purchasing choice: http://www.fishwatch.gov.

The EC is currently preparing, at the request of the European Parliament and the Council, a feasibility report on options for a EU-wide eco-label scheme for fishery and aquaculture products.

For more information access: European Eco-label website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm

Recycling
The “mobius loop” (sometimes known as the “chasing arrows”), based on an international standard, may be found on products throughout Europe and is meant to help consumers identify and participate in recycling schemes for product packaging and materials.  As well as being used on printed packaging, the chasing arrows symbol is sometimes featured in the molds of glass, metal, paper, or plastic products.  Various kinds of loops indicate whether the product is recyclable, recycled or contains recycled material.

Plastics
The EU has mandated that certain products be sold in standardized quantities.  Council Directive 2007/45/EC harmonizes packaging of wine and spirits throughout the EU.  Existing national sizes will be abolished with a few exceptions for domestic producers.

Key Link: www.ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/goods/building-blocks/legal-metrology/pack-sizes/index_en.htm

Glass
There are no EU-wide symbols used to designate the recyclable nature of glass.  However, it is certainly encouraged on the national level with an array of symbols.

The Energy Star
The Energy Star symbol is a voluntary labeling program to help consumers identify the most energy-efficient office equipment on the market, i.e., computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners, and multifunction devices.  The Energy Star may be placed on products that meet or exceed energy-efficiency guidelines.  Initiated by the United States, agreement with the EU was signed in December 2000 and then renewed in 2006 with the goal of coordinating the labeling program in the two markets.  The agreement lays out a common set of energy-efficiency specifications, with a common logo that doubles as a marketing tool.

For more information: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=partners.intl_implementation#europe

The Green Dot
The Green Dot system is a scheme in which participating bodies coordinate the collection, sorting, and recovery of used packaging.  This system is administered according to national packaging laws (adhered to by packaging manufacturers, fillers, retailers, and importers), and it should be noted that all participating national systems operate independently.  The umbrella organization, PRO-Europe, is responsible for managing the Green Dot labeling system in Europe.  Use of the Green Dot in Romania is voluntary; Eco-Rom Ambalaje issues the Green Dot licenses.  More than 460 billion pieces of packaging marked with the Green Dot are distributed worldwide.  Interested applicants should contact one of the national administering authorities at: http://www.pro-e.org; http://ecoromambalaje.ro/?lang=en