Considerations regarding the alignment of the Romanian Environmental Legislation to the European Union standards

• Author: Albu Madalina
• Position: Petroleum - Gas University of Ploiesti
• Pages: 7-12

CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE ALIGNMENT OF THE

ROMANIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION TO THE EUROPEAN

UNION STANDARDS

PhD Lecturer Mădălina Albu

Petroleum – Gas University of Ploieşti

amm_ro@yahoo.it

Abstract: The perspective of economic growth, given the current conditions, without

promoting an environmental protection policy, is no longer possible. Ecologic management is

based on the following principle: Preventing is always better and more economic than treating. The

integration of our country into the European Union required the alignment of environmental

politics and practice to the EU directives. In this paper presents considerations regarding

opportunity of implementation of European environmental legislation.

Key words: environmental legislation, environmental protection

1. Environmental protection – an integrated part of the sustainable development

concept

The XXI century took over an important issue left unsolved by the last century –

environmental protection. At present, there are numerous alarm signals due to excessive pollution

and exhaustion of certain natural resources. Despite all concerns on national and international level,

aiming the protection of the environment and natural resources, life and ecologic diversity

conservation, it is unanimously appreciated that efforts are insufficient and unequally distributed in

the world. Financial support of environmental expenses depends on the economic condition of each

country, thus differences between countries will mark profoundly this area too.

Ecologic reform regards tax rising for processes involving a high consumption of energy,

water, raw materials, soil occupancy and simultaneously, reduction of other taxes for working

people, ensuring transparency for using funds obtained from ecologic taxes and duties.

National and international debates and programs attempt to determine limitations for natural

resources consumption, protection for a multitude of environmental aspects, but without stagnating

progress and by providing new jobs. Certain measures are difficult to impose, by small steps policy,

others are faster. At the same time, a long term vision is required, 20 - 40 years, as current

pollutants have a long term effect; certain effects are not too well known, or the simultaneous

presence of several pollutants does not allow a precise quantification of immediate and long term

effects. That is why, besides appropriate software necessary for reducing pollutants, modern

instruments of control and information on the level of pollution and environmental protection are

necessary.

The issues of environmental management have been the basis for elaborating the ISO 14000

international standards. These have also been adopted in member states of the European Union.

Romania has acknowledged these standards and elaborated similar ones.

In our country, ecologic management also tends to become more and more integrated in the

practice of management confronted by community implication. Environmental management

represents a component of the general management system, which includes organizational structure,

planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for the

elaboration, implementation, achievement, analysis and maintenance of the environmental policies.

The concern of an organization regarding environmental issues should reflect upon two

areas: 1. regulated area, by:

- laws, orders, governmental decisions, norms, standards;

- environmental protection agents;

- impact studies, environment balances, risk assessments, monitoring programs, conformity

programs.