Introduction
It is already known that legal entities and individuals must update their business purpose in accordance with the newly revised CAEN codes.
Since the new CAEN structure introduces changes to certain codes—some classes being merged and others restructured or split—economic operators are required to update their CAEN codes. This process also involves a more thorough analysis of the actual economic activity performed and a precise selection of the absolutely necessary and currently used CAEN codes, where applicable.
The changes between CAEN Rev. 2 and CAEN Rev. 3 are as follows:
• Two or more CAEN Rev. 2 classes correspond to a single CAEN Rev. 3 class;
• A single CAEN Rev. 2 class corresponds to two or more CAEN Rev. 3 classes;
• Two or more CAEN Rev. 2 classes correspond to two or more CAEN Rev. 3 classes.
Therefore, the National Trade Register Office (ONRC) has established the necessary procedure for implementing this update, ensuring compliance with the new regulations. This new version of the CAEN Nomenclature aligns with the Classification of Activities used in the European Community – Rev. 2.1 (implemented at the European level starting January 1, 2025), as per COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2023/137 of October 10, 2022, amending Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006 of the European Parliament and Council establishing the statistical classification of economic activities NACE Rev. 2. The revision was determined by the evolving needs of the Romanian economy and the principles of harmonization with European classifications.
The third CAEN revision will apply starting January 1, 2025, as regulated by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) Order 377/2024, with the deadline for compliance set by Government Decision GD 284/2025 to be 18 months from its entry into force. Therefore, the final deadline for aligning with the new CAEN codes is September 25, 2026.
Since updating the codes requires an adaptation process by individuals and legal entities who define their business objects using CAEN codes—and is, at the same time, a disruptive factor for the administrative capacity of public institutions in managing the changes within the CAEN structure—an 18-month implementation period has been granted. During this time, both the revised and previous versions of the CAEN classification will be recognized and accepted by authorities and public institutions.
Table of Content
1. Why this update to the CAEN codes under Rev. 3 is important
CAEN codes in the national economy are a fundamental criterion for compiling statistics at the industry or sector level, or by type of activity. These statistics are important not only nationally but also internationally, as they enable macroeconomic policy-making aimed at supporting the development or stimulation of specific sectors/domains. On the other hand, these codes also have administrative importance: depending on the CAEN codes declared by a company:
- There may be tax implications (such as inclusion or exclusion from certain taxation regimes or eligibility for tax incentives/state aid);
• Certain authorizations may be required (such as environmental permits) or additional licenses for conducting the activity, including inclusion or exclusion from activities prohibited to be performed by certain categories of economic agents. Certain activities cannot be carried out simultaneously, particularly when the law imposes the condition of a single business object (e.g., in the field of insurance and private pensions, private detective services, healthcare).
2. Procedure and documentation required to update CAEN codes under REV.
The first step in updating CAEN codes under REV. 3 is a review—checking all activities listed in the business object of the economic agent and included in the updated Articles of Incorporation, as applicable, for consistency with those registered in the Registration Certificate issued by the Trade Register. If necessary, the Articles of Incorporation must also be updated in line with changes brought by Law 265/2022, which requires that only those activities authorized at the Trade Register for execution are maintained in the Articles of Incorporation. This may include updates related to company duration (e.g., indefinite), administrator mandates for a fixed term, etc. At this stage, it is also checked whether all activities listed in the business object have been authorized based on their place of execution (head office, branches, or third-party premises).
The second step is analyzing and selecting, from the multitude of CAEN codes, those specific to and effectively carried out by the economic agent, adding those that are planned to be undertaken in the future.
Depending on whether the business object is modified, an updated Articles of Incorporation will be prepared according to REV. 3, based on a decision or resolution by the shareholders’ meeting, sole shareholder, board of directors, etc., as applicable.
The final step involves preparing the documentation for submitting the request to the Trade Register for the update of CAEN codes under REV. 3 and filing the case with the competent Trade Register office for resolution.
The documents required for updating the CAEN codes under REV. 3 are listed below, without being exhaustive:
• Decision of the sole shareholder, board of directors, or resolution of the shareholders’ meeting, as applicable;
• Updated Articles of Incorporation with revised CAEN codes;
• Statement of authorization of activities for each location (head office, branches, or third-party premises);
• Application for registration with the Trade Register and the annex for publishing the Articles of Incorporation in the Official Gazette.
NOTE! In all cases involving the update of the business object, the Trade Register issues, free of charge, a new registration certificate, along with up-to-date specific information from the Trade Register. At this time, the Trade Register number issued upon the company’s registration is also updated.
3. Conclusion
- • Make sure you follow all steps to comply with the new CAEN codes by September 25, 2026!
• If you need specialized assistance to update your CAEN codes under REV. 3, contact us – our team of professionals is at your service.
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