Through Order no. 629/372/2026, five new occupations are introduced into the official nomenclature, thus responding to specific needs in the economy.
What does it stipulate?
The normative act adds five new functions, with their corresponding codes, to the Classification of Occupations in Romania (COR). This update allows employers to officially classify personnel in these positions, conclude individual employment contracts using the correct designation, and report them appropriately in the REVISAL system. The new officially recognized occupations are: pastoral assistant (code 263649), circular economy expert (code 242243), sustainable development specialist (code 242242), circular economy specialist (code 213313), and gemology technician (code 311945).
The introduction of the occupations of circular economy expert, sustainable development specialist, and circular economy specialist reflects alignment with European trends and non-financial reporting (ESG) requirements. Companies can now formalize roles dedicated to implementing sustainability strategies, optimizing resource utilization, and complying with new environmental directives. These functions become necessary for organizations that wish to manage their ecological impact and strengthen their corporate governance.
The other two occupations address niche needs. The role of gemology technician provides a formal framework for specialists in the jewelry and precious stones industry, responsible for their identification, evaluation, and certification. The occupation of pastoral assistant primarily targets religious organizations, allowing for the legal classification of personnel who provide support in religious and community activities.
To whom does it apply?
The Order applies to all employers in Romania, as COR is the unique and mandatory nomenclature at the national level. In particular, the normative act is of direct interest to the following categories of companies:
- Large companies and multinationals implementing sustainability strategies and ESG reports.
- Consulting firms in the fields of environment, circular economy, and sustainable development.
- Producers and traders of jewelry and precious stones.
- Religious organizations and non-profit entities with a religious profile.
- Human Resources departments in any company, which must use the correct COR codes when concluding employment contracts and in REVISAL reports.
What should you do?
- Analyze the relevance of the new occupations for the current or future organizational structure, especially in sustainability, environment, or CSR departments.
- Update the internal job nomenclature and HR procedures to reflect the new COR codes, if you hire or plan to hire personnel for these positions.
- Verify the current classification of employees with responsibilities in the circular economy or sustainable development area and, if applicable, make the necessary contractual changes to align the function with the new official COR code.
Source: Official Gazette, Part I, no. 598 of July 22, 2026.
Note: This material is strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or business advice. As the interpretation and application of legal provisions can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of each entity, we recommend that you seek specialized legal assistance before adopting any operational decisions based on these changes.