Romania, targeted by a European Commission procedure regarding restrictions in construction and installations with energy impact

The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it has initiated procedures to ascertain the non-fulfillment of obligations against Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

According to the European Executive, these states have imposed restrictive authorization or certification regimes for construction services and energy-impact installations, violating the provisions of the Services Directive (Directive 2006/123/EC). In the case of France, such a procedure is already underway.

The European Commission emphasizes that these requirements create obstacles to the installation of renewable energy equipment and hinder the activities of installers and energy efficiency service providers in the European Union.

The European Executive recommends the use of less restrictive measures, such as ex post controls, to ensure service quality, instead of imposing mandatory certification regimes.

Additionally, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia, and Spain apply additional requirements regarding certification and registration in the construction field. According to the Commission, these measures contribute to the fragmentation of the single market, limit access to activities, and reduce available options for consumers.

The action of the European Commission is part of efforts to remove barriers in the single market and promote deeper integration in the field of construction services and installations necessary for the green transition.

In the absence of responses deemed satisfactory from the targeted states, the Commission may decide to issue reasoned opinions.