The European Commission decided on Wednesday to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Romania for failing to correctly transpose the Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) intended to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, the Commission said in a statement.The Directive is an essential element of the Plastics Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the full implementation of sustainable practices enshrined in the Directive is key to effectively protect human health, natural environments and ensure a successful transition towards a more sustainable circular economy.Romania has not correctly and completely transposed several provisions of the Single-Use Plastics Directive into national law, which can result in an incomplete application of the Directive in practice. For instance, Romanian law extends the exemptions from the prohibition of placing single-use plastic products on the market. This concerns, for example, beverage stirrers and single-use plastic sticks used for medical purposes. In addition, Romanian law does not require producers to cover all costs in accordance with the extended producer responsibility provisions of the Directive.Finally, there are no provisions in the national law to encourage the use of sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic for food.The Commission therefore decided to send a letter of formal notice to Romania, which now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
President Nicușor Dan has nominated Senate president Ilie Bolojan, a leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and former interim president, for the prime minister seat. Dan said Bolojan is “the best person to carry out the needed adjustments in the state administration.” He pointed to Bolojan’s track record with reducing spending, and said he has […]
Balkanik Festival – Home of World Music, set to take place at Uranus Garden between September 5 and September 7, lines up this year artists who "celebrate that form of joy that does not ignore reality, but faces it with beauty, energy, and solidarity," the organizers said. The artists performing in September in Bucharest will […]
The mayor of Timișoara, Dominic Fritz, announced on Friday, June 20, that two new bridges over the Bega River will be built in the city. The bridges will be financed with EU-backed funds worth over RON 130 million. The bridges in question are the Solventul Bridge, which will connect Gării Street to Dâmbovița Boulevard and […]
A Sarmatian necropolis nearly 2,000 years old was discovered after archaeological excavations were carried out at the Mehala II site in the municipality of Timișoara, in western Romania. Researchers discovered 15 inhumation graves, most arranged in rectangular pits with rounded corners, although some no longer retain their original outline, having been disturbed by the passage […]
The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra will deliver on June 26 a concert marking Romania Day at the Osaka World Expo. Additionally, the Bucharest-based orchestra will present a series of other concerts and recitals, both within the Romanian Pavilion and outside, at Toyonara Hall in Osaka. The George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts will be conducted by […]
Sphera Franchise Group, the largest food service group in Romania, has opened its first Cioccolatitaliani store in the seaside resort of Riccione, in Italy’s Rimini tourist area. This marks the official launch of Sphera Group’s development plan for the premium Italian brand of coffee, gelato, and pastry. Under the plan, it will open four locations […]
