Romania: National Audiovisual Council adopted Decision on audio-visual content regulatory code including age verification requirements

On 25 June 2025, Romania's National Audiovisual Council adopted Decision No. 573 establishing an audio-visual content regulatory code. The regulation applies to all television and radio broadcasters, video-on-demand platforms, and video-sharing services under Romanian jurisdiction. It imposes minor protection rules requiring consent and age-based programme classification with visual warnings and time-slot restrictions. It provides that minors under 14 require written parental consent for program participation except for cultural events and sports competitions. Minors over 16 need explicit consent with identification elements removed upon request. The classification system creates five categories, including unrestricted programs, programs requiring parental consent for children under the age of 12, programs prohibited for children under 12, programs prohibited for children under 15, programs prohibited for children under 18, and 18+ pornographic programs banned entirely for Romanian providers. The code provides that each category requires permanent visual warning signs using white circles with appropriate symbols and minimum font sizes. Programs containing violence, sexual content, or degrading situations are banned between 6.00 pm to 11.30 pm, except for fiction films and documentaries under conditional access. It also mandates that on-demand services must use parental control systems and traditional broadcasters must use conditional access systems to restrict minor access to harmful content.