ANCOM carried out an extensive control campaign at national level, mainly targeting small shops focused on selling radio equipment and devices produced in Asian countries, in order to identify and eliminate non-compliant equipment from the market, and to bring traders breaching the legal requirements in line with these requirements. Between 19 March and 11 April 2025, ANCOM carried out 720 controls, applying 511 contravention fines, amounting 1,598,500 lei.
ANCOM’s campaign was aimed at preventing the risks generated by the use of non-compliant equipment, in order to ensure a high level of protection for end users, including in terms of health, public safety and the alignment of commercial activities with the technical and legislative norms in force.
Campaign results
The controls envisaged compliance with the requirements provided in the Government Decision no. 740/2016 on the making available on the market of radio equipment and in the Government Decision no. 487/2016 on electromagnetic compatibility. ANCOM carried out 720 control actions in all counties in Romania, with the following outcome:
- 683 reports on finding and sanctioning contraventions were drawn up.
- 658 warnings were applied;
- 511 contravention fines were imposed, amounting to 1,598,500 lei.
Among the non-compliant equipment, ANCOM identified devices such as wireless speakers with radio receiver, wireless headphones, FM modulators, wireless doorbells, radio receivers, wireless keyboard and mouse kits.
The control campaign focused on verifying distributors' compliance with legal obligations, in particular as regards some requirements to be met before placing equipment on the market: radio equipment must bear the CE marking, is accompanied by the EU Declaration of Conformity and the User Manual in Romanian (as provided by GD no. 740/2016) and the manufacturers and importers of such equipment have complied with their legal obligations.
Regardless of the sanctions applied, ANCOM's specialized control staff also carried out an awareness campaign during the control actions carried out, informing the controlled persons about the legal provisions applicable to radio equipment and devices, with the aim of preventing similar contravention acts from being committed in the future.
Non-compliant equipment causes interference
A key indicator of compliance with European Union legislation is that the product/equipment bears the marking. Equipment marketed or put into operation on the territory of the European Union – therefore including on the Romanian market – without the
marking is definitely non-compliant.
Moreover, radio equipment is considered non-compliant when it does not meet essential requirements, such as, ensuring:
- protection of the health and safety of the user and any other person;
- protection against electromagnetic compatibility, i.e. the ability of equipment to operate without causing disturbance to other equipment operating nearby;
- the efficient use of radio spectrum, in order to avoid harmful interference, i.e. interference that seriously and repeatedly impairs, obstructs or interrupts a radiocommunication service.
Detailed information on non-compliant equipment, the obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors, the relevant legislation, as well as information materials are available here.
Examples of equipment which must bear the marking:
- radio equipment: mobile phones, desktop PCs, tablets, laptops, radio remote controls, routers, radio-controlled toys, drones, video game consoles and controllers, etc.
- Non-radio equipment: lighting fixtures, circuit breakers, household appliances, infrared remote controls, etc.
Tip for users: To make sure you are purchasing compliant equipment, look for the marking on it, buy from trusted economic operators and read all warnings and instructions before use.