Policy Context and Legal Framework

The Romanian government has dedicated a lot of effort in recent years to develop a legal framework favoring the development of the information society and eGovernment. This framework includes: the Law on Electronic Signature (2001); the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Interest (2001); the Law on the Protection of Persons concerning the Processing of Personal Data and the Free Circulation of Such Data (2001); the Law on Electronic Commerce (2002), the Law regarding the electronic payment of local taxes (2002), the Law on the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (2004) and the Ordinance concerning the award of public contracts, public works concession contracts and services concession contracts (2006). The construction of a national network linking all local and central government information systems is underway, and the introduction of an electronic identity card is being prepared. The Government is guided by a wider eReadiness policy, which aims to promote access to public services and information through information technology and Internet.

Romania was the first country in Europe to transpose the European Union regulatory framework for electronic communications into national legislation, between 2002 and 2003. Furthermore, the VPO is a major supporter in the stimulation process and increase of the IT&C contribution to the accomplishment of the EU objectives for the Knowledge-based Economy and the Information Society.