The Energy Ministry published on Monday evening a draft emergency ordinance that declares a crisis on the crude oil and petroleum products market and caps the commercial markup applied by companies producing, importing, distributing or selling gasoline, diesel and the raw materials used to make them.
According to the draft regulatory act, the markup is limited to no more than 50% of the average commercial markup recorded over the past 12 months. The measure is intended to prevent abusive practices and curb potential speculative behavior. The cap applies across the entire supply chain.
The initiators clarify that the commercial markup represents the difference between the selling price and the production or acquisition cost applied by each operator.
The draft also stipulates that exports of petroleum products (gasoline and diesel) shall require prior approval from the ministry responsible for the economy and the relevant line ministry. "During the crisis, exports and/or intra-EU deliveries of gasoline and diesel may be carried out only with the prior written consent of the Ministry of Economy, Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, and the Energy Ministry," the document states.
Exporting or delivering gasoline or diesel under conditions other than those provided would constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of 5% to 10% of turnover.
The draft further introduces measures to prevent the sale of petroleum products above the maximum price levels and allows operators to reduce the biofuel content in gasoline placed on the market from 8% to as low as 2% during the application of the protective measures.
Within 30 days after the end of the crisis, the relevant Ministry will assess and, if needed, propose compensatory measures for operators to ensure national greenhouse-gas reduction targets are not affected.
The protective measures apply for six months and could be extended in three-month increments as long as the crisis conditions persist.
"In the absence of these legislative interventions, there is a risk of disrupting supply continuity for consumers and causing operational blockages on the natural gas market," the explanatory note shows.
The Ministry cites major global oil market disruptions triggered by events in the Middle East. Brent crude reached around USD 114 per barrel on March 22 (with a peak of USD 119.82 on March 19), compared with roughly USD 65 per barrel in early February 2026.
As a result, average national prices on March 22 climbed to 9.18 RON per liter for standard gasoline and 9.91 RON per liter for standard diesel.
"The sharp international price increases are feeding into consumer prices and pushing up national inflation. These rises in crude and diesel prices are putting significant pressure on Romania's oil market, which relies on imports for about 75% of its crude," the explanatory note adds.
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