Legislative update – Update of CAEN codes

Dear Client,

Legislative update – Update of CAEN codes to Rev. 3

We would like to inform you of an important legislative change regarding the Classification of Activities in the National Economy – CAEN Rev. 3, applicable to all economic operators. Legislative framework and date of application - Starting with 1 January 2025, CAEN Rev. 3 entered into force, according to Order of the President of the National Institute of Statistics no. 377/2024, as well as the related regulatory acts applicable to the Trade Register.

As of this date:

• all new registrations, and
• all registrations of changes submitted to the Trade Register (ONRC)
• must be carried out exclusively using CAEN Rev. 3 codes.

For entities registered prior to 1 January 2025, the legislation provides for a transition period, during which CAEN Rev. 2 and CAEN Rev. 3 codes may be used in parallel, on a temporary basis, in relations with public authorities. Taxpayers are required to:

• analyze the correspondence between the CAEN Rev. 2 codes currently used and the corresponding CAEN Rev. 3 codes;
• update their scope of activity in accordance with CAEN Rev. 3 by submitting the relevant filings to the National Trade Register Office;
• update, where applicable, the articles of association and other official documents of the entity;
• use CAEN Rev. 3 codes in relations with public authorities and financial institutions, as well as in applications for funding, authorizations, permits, approvals, or other administrative procedures.

Please note that certain CAEN Rev. 2 codes do not have a direct equivalent in CAEN Rev. 3, which requires a careful analysis of the activities actually carried out.

Transition period / practical deadline - Although the legislation does not establish a single explicit statutory deadline for updating all existing CAEN codes, a transition period is estimated to extend until at least the course of 2026 (approximately 18 months from the entry into force of CAEN Rev. 3).

After the expiration of this period:

• the exclusive use of CAEN Rev. 3 will become mandatory;
• continued use of CAEN Rev. 2 codes may lead to the rejection of applications, administrative difficulties, issues related to authorizations, financing, or other procedures carried out with public authorities.

For practical reasons, it is strongly recommended to update CAEN codes as soon as possible, without waiting for the end of the transition period. This communication has exclusively the nature of a general legislative information notice and does not replace the legal obligations incumbent upon taxpayers.

The responsibility rests entirely with the taxpayer for:

• identifying the activities carried out,
• selecting the appropriate CAEN Rev. 3 codes,
• submitting filings with the Trade Register, and
• complying with the applicable legal deadlines