The law hasn't been adopted yet — but the deadlines aren't waiting. EU Directive 2023/970 already fixes the dates: June 7, 2027, first report for companies with 150+ employees. A proper evaluation usually takes months — data collection, questionnaires, validation, a remediation plan. Start now, while you still have time to fix what you find.
What EU Directive 2023/970 requires — and what Romanian law requires
The European Union adopted Directive (EU) 2023/970 on May 10, 2023, with a transposition deadline of June 7, 2026 — missed by Romania. Below, article by article, what the law provides and how it applies to your company.
Scope (Art. 1–2)
The Directive mandates "equal pay for equal work or work of equal value" (Art. 1) through concrete mechanisms: employees' right to information, periodic reports, joint assessment when the gap exceeds 5%. It applies to all employers in the EU — public and private — and to all workers with an employment contract (Art. 2). The exact obligations depend on the number of employees — see "Obligations by size category."
What "transposition" means
An EU directive doesn't apply directly — each member state must turn it into national law ("transposition"). The EU deadline was June 7, 2026; Romania missed it. The bill (L445/2026) was registered with the Senate on June 17, 2026, under urgent procedure, and is still under debate — not yet law in force. Details on the "Deadlines and the calendar" page.
Job evaluation (EIGE)
The mandatory criteria for "work of equal value" — skills, effort, responsibility, working conditions.
Learn more → Art. 5Compliant recruitment
What candidates must learn about pay before the interview — and what you're not allowed to ask.
Learn more → Art. 6, 7The conversation about pay
For employees — what you can do if you want to find out your pay level or the category average.
Learn more → Art. 6, 7, 8The right to information
Accessible pay-setting criteria, the 2-month deadline to respond to requests, annual information.
Learn more → Art. 9Deadlines and the calendar
The missed EU deadline, the status of Bill L445/2026, and the actual first reporting deadlines for each size threshold.
Learn more → Art. 9, 11ANES reporting
Thresholds, frequency, mandatory reporting indicators, support for smaller employers.
Learn more → Art. 10, 13Remediation and joint assessment
What happens if a 5%+ gap in a category remains unjustified.
Learn more → Art. 14–23Penalties
The penalty structure from the bill — two tiers, calculated from the gross minimum wage.
Learn more → SummaryObligations by size category
Under 100, 100–149, 150–249, 250+ — exactly what applies to your company's size.
Learn more → FAQFrequently asked questions
Direct answers to the most common objections and questions.
Learn more →