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Institutional recognition of the Romanian Franchise Association (ARF)
The Romanian Franchise Association (ARF), founded in 2006, is recognised as a public-utility association under Romanian law and is the body that, by law, set up and manages the National Franchise Register (RNF). This page lists the official acts behind these facts, so that each statement can be checked at its source.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Legal act | Issuer | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARF is referred to as a public-utility association and sets up the National Franchise Register | Law no. 179/2019, art. III | Parliament of Romania | 2019 |
| Public-utility status is granted by Government decision and is not limited in time | Government Ordinance no. 26/2000, art. 39(1) and 42(1) | Government of Romania | 2000 |
| Management of the RNF rests exclusively with ARF | Order no. 1478/2019, Annex 1, art. 2(b) | Ministry for the Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship | 21 October 2019 (Official Gazette no. 892 of 5 November 2019) |
Public-utility status
ARF is recognised as a public-utility association under Romanian law. Law no. 179/2019 (art. III) refers to ARF as a public-utility association. Under Government Ordinance no. 26/2000, public-utility status is granted by Government decision and is not limited in time.
What the status means
Public-utility status does not make ARF a public authority, a regulator or a state institution.
The National Franchise Register (RNF)
Law no. 179/2019 (art. III) provides that ARF sets up the National Franchise Register, in which franchisors may register their disclosure document on request and free of charge.
Management of the register
Under Order no. 1478/2019, the RNF is an electronic register, and responsibility for managing it rests exclusively with ARF.
What registration means
Registration in the RNF is a transparency instrument. It is not an authorisation, a certification of a franchise or an investment recommendation.
External reference
The U.S. International Trade Administration's Romania Country Commercial Guide refers to the “establishment of the National Franchise Registry held by the non-governmental Romanian Franchise Association”. This is a documentary reference, not a recommendation or a guarantee.
What institutional recognition does not mean
- ARF is not a public authority, a regulator or a state institution.
- Registration in the National Franchise Register is not an authorisation or a certification.
- ARF membership is voluntary and is not a state authorisation or an investment recommendation.
Official sources
- Law no. 179/2019 — Romanian Legislative Portal
- Order no. 1478/2019 — Romanian Legislative Portal
- Government Ordinance no. 26/2000 — Romanian Legislative Portal
- U.S. International Trade Administration — Romania Country Commercial Guide
For questions about these documents, write to info@francizor.ro.
About ARF National Franchise Register
About ARF ARF public positions Complete guide to the National Franchise Register Franchising in Romania (in Romanian)
Legal information last reviewed: 2026-10-21.
General information only; not legal advice.