The government tightens control in the management of PNRR funds and introduces sanctions of up to 15,000 lei
The government adopted an ordinance that modifies the management and control procedures of European funds from the PNRR, introducing financial corrections and stricter rules to prevent irregularities and fraud.
Investments from PNRR, more closely supervised. PHOTO: Shutterstock
During the meeting on Friday, January 30, the Government approved, by ordinance, a set of new measures aimed at improving the management of European funds allocated to Romania through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
The new provisions are aimed at preventing irregularities, strengthening control mechanisms and strengthening the framework for the administration of European funds, both refundable and non-refundable.
According to a press release from the Executive sent to Agerpres, the normative act introduces the possibility of applying percentage reductions and financial corrections, established in proportion to the seriousness of deviations identified in the development of projects financed from the PNRR, a measure that aims to make the beneficiaries responsible and protect the financial interests of the European Union.
The Ordinance explicitly regulates the amount of these corrections for contracts for the supply of products, the provision of services or the execution of works financed from PNRR funds, concluded by private beneficiaries who are not obliged to comply with public procurement legislation. In such situations, the corrections are applied to the amounts requested for payment or already paid and can vary between 5,000 and 15,000 lei, depending on the severity of the detected deviations.
According to the Government statement, the sums resulting from the application of financial corrections will be recovered from the budget accounts related to European funds, thus ensuring the maintenance of financial discipline and the correct use of the resources allocated through the PNRR.
At the same time, the ordinance introduces increased reporting obligations for the control structures within the authorities involved and for the national coordinator. They must immediately inform the Anti-Fraud Department (DLAF), the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), as well as other relevant institutions, in the event of suspected fraud or conflict of interest.
In the event of the identification of serious irregularities, the Romanian authorities have the obligation to report them to the European Commission through the AFIS-IMS system, the unique platform provided by the European Union for the monitoring and management of cases of fraud and irregularities.
Both the authorities and the beneficiaries of the funds must modify their internal management and control procedures, in order to align them with the new requirements, within 10 working days from the entry into force of the ordinance.
At the same time, the procedures for ascertaining irregularities and establishing claims already in progress will continue to be regulated by the legislation in force at the time of their initiation.
