Emergency Ordinance no. 202 of December 18, 2002 on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (updated).

This Ordinance establishes the legal and administrative regime for the integrated management of the Romanian coastal zone. It defines the geographical boundaries of the coast, spanning both the inland terrestrial strip and the territorial waters of the Black Sea. It prioritizes the preservation of the shore's physical integrity and the long-term stability of the marine and land ecosystems.
The governance structure relies on a centralized coordination system led by the National Coastal Zone Management Committee. This body oversees the authorization of all economic activities and infrastructure projects within the coastal perimeter. No construction or industrial operation may proceed without a specific coastal management permit. This permit serves as a mandatory technical safeguard to prevent fragmented development from damaging the shared natural resources of the shoreline.
Environmental protection measures within the ordinance focus on the strict conservation of natural barriers such as sand dunes and coastal forests. The Ordinance prohibits the extraction of mineral resources from the beach and seabed while mandating the control of pollutants originating from land-based sources. Specific zones of strict protection are delineated where permanent human structures are forbidden to allow for natural coastal processes and the safeguarding of biodiversity.