Stronger environmental institutions for better management, more effective control, prevention of violations

The environmental sector will be managed more efficiently, with a clear delineation of responsibilities and the strengthening of regulatory, monitoring and control capacities. The Government approved several decisions to this effect today.

The Environmental Protection Inspectorate will have clearer powers in exercising state control, preventing violations of environmental legislation, calculating damages and enforcing the “polluter pays” principle.

One of the most significant changes is the creation of the Environmental Incident Rapid Response Center, which will receive notifications around the clock. Thus, citizens will be able to report cases of pollution, illegal logging, unauthorized waste disposal, or other violations affecting the environment more easily and more quickly.

“The time when the state had no tools to intervene after 5 p.m. is over. Until now, those who polluted water and soil or illegally cut forests took advantage of regular working hours, and with the establishment of this Center we will have teams permanently available and notifications will be received around the clock,” emphasized Minister of Environment Gheorghe Hajder.

The Environment Agency is to be reorganized through the absorption of the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources, and the staff ceiling will be adjusted to better cover areas such as waste management, chemicals, air protection, climate change and biodiversity.

The project provides for the creation of a one-stop shop where citizens and businesses will receive support for submitting applications and obtaining permits. At the same time, the institution will create an online portal to streamline internal processes and provide easier access to environmental services.

“Our objective is clear: a modern institution capable of ensuring rigorous monitoring of the environmental sector and the challenges that arise,” said the Minister of Environment.

The State Hydrometeorological Service will become the Public Institution Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring, with expanded responsibilities in meteorological, hydrological, and environmental monitoring, data management, the preparation of forecasts, and the issuance of warnings, eliminating the current fragmentation of data. The new entity will also manage groundwater monitoring.

Through these measures, the authorities will be able to respond more effectively to environmental risks and incidents, manage relevant data better, and provide clearer, faster, and better-coordinated public services.