Emergency Ordinance no. 195 of 22 December 2005 on environmental protection.

This Ordinance represents, given the need to fulfill the commitments assumed by Romania in the process of European integration, as a matter of urgency, a basis on which subsequent legislation in the field of environmental protection can be adopted. The main object of this emergency Ordinance is the regulation of environmental protection, an objective of major public interest, based on the principles and strategic elements that lead to the sustainable development of society. The principles and strategic elements underlying this emergency ordinance are: a) the principle of integrating of environmental policies in other sectoral policies; b) the precautionary principle in making the decision; c) the principle of preventive action; d) the principle of withholding pollutants at source; e) the "polluter pays" principle; f) the principle of conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems specific to the natural biogeographical framework; g) sustainable use of natural resources; h) informing and participating the public in decision making, as well as access to justice in environmental matters; i) development of international collaboration for environmental protection. This text is now a substitute of the old national Law on environmental protection.
The text is divided into XVI main Chapters as follows: Chapter I General principles and provisions; Chapter II Regulatory procedure; Chapter III Regime of dangerous substances and preparations; Chapter IV Waste regime; Chapter V Regime of chemical fertilizers and plant protection products; Chapter VI Regime of genetically modified organisms, obtained through modern biotechnology techniques; Chapter VII Regime of nuclear activities; Chapter VIII Conservation of biodiversity and protected natural areas; Chapter IX Protection of waters and aquatic ecosystems; Chapter X Atmospheric protection, climate change, environmental noise management; Chapter XI Protection of soil, subsoil and terrestrial ecosystems; Chapter XII Protection of human settlements; Chapter XIII Regional Committee for Environmental Protection; Chapter XIV Duties and responsibilities; Chapter XV Sanctions; Chapter XVI Transitional and final provisions.