NACE Rev. 3 in Romania: Modernising Business Activity Classification

What is it and what activities are impacted?

NACE (Nomenclature of Economic Activities) is the EU’s standardised system to classify economic activities, aligned with the UN’s ISIC Rev. 5. The latest revision—NACE Rev. 3 was adopted through Ordinance No. 377/2024 and entered into force on January 1, 2025.

This update reflects new economic realities—globalisation, digital transformation, sustainability, e‑commerce, renewable energy, AI, circular economy—ensuring business activities are more accurately captured.

The changes are mainly impacting fields of commerce, IT, and human resources.

When and Who Must Comply?

Implementation started on January 1, 2025. Thus, all newly registered entities must use CAEN Rev. 3 from the outset.

Existing legal entities have a legal transition period of 18 months, i.e. until 25 September 2026, but a practical deadline of 31 December 2025 is strongly advised, as many Trade Registry offices have already begun rejecting filings referencing Rev. 2 codes.

Main steps

1.     Audit the existing codes

2.     Prepare the relevant corporate drafts

3.     Submit the file with the Trade Registry

4.     Amend the necessary authorizations/licenses

Why should the NACE code update be performed as soon as possible

Non‑compliance Consequences:

·      Loss of eligibility for certain tax regimes or state incentives;

·      Risk of invalid business licenses or permits;

·   Exposure to fines, legal liabilities, or even business invalidation for improperly classified activities. 

Strategic Benefits:

·      More accurate classification supports sustainability reporting;

·      Greater clarity in corporate scope and investor/trade transparency;

·      Simplified administrative processes for licensing and state aid qualification. 

The transition to NACE Rev. 3 is both a compliance requirement and an opportunity to modernize your documentation, align with EU sustainability frameworks, and reduce ambiguity in reporting. While the formal deadline extends into 2026, best practice is to complete updates by the end of 2025 to ensure full operational continuity and avoid procedural delays.