Last updated: May 20, 2020
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The law requires warnings on unit packaging and labeling of tobacco products.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The law requires warnings on outside packaging and labeling.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The law requires that the warning text be in Romanian, the principal language of the country.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The law requires that health warnings “remain intact when opening the unit packet, other than packets with a flip-top lid, where the health warning may be split when opening the packet, but only in a manner that ensures the graphic integrity and the visibility of the text, photographs and smoking cessation information.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The law requires that health warnings may not be partially or totally hidden or interrupted by stamps and markings required under the Fiscal Code.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The law requires that an “information message” appear on 50% of one lateral side of packaging of smoked tobacco products. The message must state: “Tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances that cause cancer.”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to a qualitative (descriptive) constituent and emissions message on tobacco product packaging.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The law requires that packaging and labeling “not include any information about the nicotine, tar or carbon monoxide content of the tobacco product . . . .”
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines with respect to prohibiting the display of figures for emissions yields as these can be misleading to consumers.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not currently required in Romania. However, the law includes provisions that allow the Health Minister to introduce regulations requiring plain packaging.
The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
Prohibition on misleading tobacco packaging & labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs (logos, colors, images that directly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products)
The law prohibits on tobacco product packaging any feature or element that “promotes a tobacco product or encourages its consumption by creating an erroneous impression about its characteristics, health effects, risks, or emissions” or that “suggests that a particular tobacco product is less harmful than others. . . .” The law specifies that such prohibited features or elements may include, but are not limited to, “text, symbols, names, trademarks, figurative signs or other signs.”
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
