What Vulcanizations Need to Know About Used Tires in 2026

Summary content

In 2026, the legislation on the circular economy and the „polluter pays” principle become much stricter in Romania. for car services and vulcanizations, tire worn them out They are no longer just waste, but resources whose traceability must be strictly proven to the Environmental Guard.

This guide details the obligations of economic operators, from storage and administrative procedures, to the applicable sanctions.

What obligations do vulcanizations have to end-of-use tires in 2026?

According to Law 212/2015 and GEO 92/2021, units that generate waste from tires have the following mandatory responsibilities:

Separate collection: The total ban on mixing tires with other waste (oils, filters, plastic).
Conform storage: temporary storage exclusively in arranged spaces, on concrete platforms.
Authorized delivery: transfer of waste only to licensed operators for collection/recovery, with supporting documents.
Traceability (SIATD): Using digital systems for monitoring waste road from generator to recycler.
SIM reporting: Annual transmission of data to the Environmental Protection Agency (APM).
Customer Informing: Displaying the visibility of free pickup of used tires („one to one” system).

Temporary Storage Standards: Safety and Environmental Rules

Improper storage attracts the most common sanctions. In order to comply with PSI (fire prevention and extinguishing) and environmental protection rules, the following rules must be observed:

Waterproofing: Storage must be done on concrete platforms to prevent soil contamination.
Organization: Tires are stored interspersed („woven”) or in „woven” for stability. Unstable piles are prohibited.
Protection: It is recommended to use canopies or containers to avoid water accumulation (sanitary risk) and material degradation.
Safety distances: The warehouse must be isolated from fire sources, electrical panels or fuel stocks.

Administrative procedures: Waste Register and Reporting

In 2026, the digitization of reports is complete. Data correctness is vital to avoid cross-checks of AFM.

1. Waste record register (monthly)

According to HG 856/2002, it is completed monthly for the waste code 16 01 03 (tires out of use):

Entries: the quantity generated (estimated: a tourism tire ≈ 7-9 kg).
Outputs: the quantity handed over to the collector (according to the loading-unloading form).
Validation: the signature of the environmental manager.

2. Reporting to the authorities (annually)

to APM (Environmental Protection Agency): is done through the platform SIM (Environmental System of Environment), usually by the end of February, reporting the previous year's totals.
AFM note: Services that only mount/disassemble tires not I pay the ecotax of 2 lei/kg to the Environmental Fund. This is the obligation of producers/importers. The exception is the services that directly import tires for resale.

Management Solutions: Cost optimization and recycling

To reduce logistics costs and ensure traceability, large services adopt pre-treatment waste solutions before delivery.

Reducing the volume of waste

A major problem is the space occupied by the tires. Using a Hydraulic Guillotines for Cutting Used Tires Allows them to be sectioned into 3-4 pieces. This process reduces stored volume, optimizes transport and decreases the frequency of pickups by collectors.

From waste to raw material

The role of modern equipment, such as tire tire recycling machines, is essential in the circular economy. by processing with Waste recycling machinery (Shredder, granulators), the tire is converted into rubber granules.

These granules become raw material for new products, such as pavers or alveolar carpets, made with a Recycled Rubber Carpet Production Line. . . Thus, the service contributes directly to the reintroduction of the resource into the economic circuit.

Sanctions: fines for non-compliance with waste legislation

The sanctioning regime is drastic to discourage waste abandonment. Here are the updated financial risks:

Type of infringement	fine individuals	Fine legal entities
Disposal of waste	30,000 – 45,000 RON	50,000 – 70,000 RON
Lack of management record	5,000 – 15,000 RON	20,000 – 40,000 RON
handing over to unauthorized	10,000 – 20,000 RON	30,000 – 50,000 RON
Tire burn	Criminal case (1-5 years)	penal file

FAQs about Vulcanization Environmental Legislation

1. Who is legally responsible for the used tire: the customer or the service?

Car service or vulcanization automatically becomes a „waste generator” if the used tire remains in the premises of the unit. According to GEO 92/2021, the unit is responsible for storage, records, traceability and delivery to authorized collectors.

2. What fines does a vulcanization that does not report used tires in SIM risk?

The lack of annual reporting in the SIM or the non-completion of the waste register is sanctioned with fines between 20,000 and 40,000 RON for legal entities, according to Law 212/2015 and APM and AFM controls.

3. How long can used tires be legally stored in a vulcanization?

Used tires can only be stored temporarily, usually quarterly or semi-annually. Exceeding the 1-year deadline can be classified as unauthorized final storage, attracting severe sanctions and greening obligations.

4. Is the concrete platform mandatory for storing used tires?

Yeah. Storage is allowed exclusively on concrete and waterproof platforms, to prevent soil pollution and compliance with PSI rules. Direct storage on the ground is prohibited and sanctioned by the Environmental Guard.

5. Can used tires be handed over to any waste collector?

nope. Used tires should only be handed over to operators authorized for waste code 16 01 03, with loading-unloading documents and complete traceability. Delivery to unauthorized persons is fined with fines of up to 50,000 RON.

6. Are vulcanizations obliged to pay the ecotax to the AFM?

nope. Vulcanizations that only assemble and disassemble tires do not owe the ecotax of 2 lei/kg. This is the obligation of producers and importers. Ecotax only occurs if the service imports tires for resale.

7. Is it mandatory to display the free pickup of used tires?

Yeah. According to the „one-on-one” principle, the services are obliged to visibly display that they take the used tires in exchange for new ones for free. Lack of information is considered a violation of control.

8. How can I reduce vulcanizations the space occupied by used tires?

By cutting the tires with a hydraulic guillotine, they can be cut into 3–4 pieces, significantly reducing the stored volume, optimizing transport and reducing collection and logistics costs.

9. What is the role of digital traceability of used tires in 2026?

Digital traceability allows the tire tracking from generator to recycler through systems such as SIATD and SIM. Disagreements between registries and reports are the main causes of MFF sanctions in 2026.

10. What penalties apply for burning or abandoning used tires?

A burning of tires is a criminal offense, punishable by 1–5 years in prison. The abandonment of waste is sanctioned with fines of up to 70,000 RON and the obligation to remediate the affected area.