Romanian DRS: from 8 October, disputes over self-billed invoices are filed directly in the RetuRO platform

In shortRetuRO announced on 22 September 2026 that, from 8 October 2026, retailers who collect deposit-return (DRS) packaging manually can submit disputes over the quantities stated in self-billed invoices directly from their RetuRO platform account and follow the status of each dispute there. The official guide published with the announcement sets the essential rule: the dispute must be filed within 5 working days of the date RetuRO sent the invoice.

What changes from 8 October

In manual collection, the retailer hands over DRS packaging in sealed bags, and RetuRO issues the self-billed invoice on the retailer's behalf based on the quantities validated at counting. When the invoiced quantities differ from the retailer's own records - bags, seals, handover documents - the difference can only be recovered through a documented dispute.

From 8 October 2026 this process moves into the RetuRO platform: the dispute is created from the retailer's account, in the "Complaints" section, and goes through statuses visible in real time - "Open", "In progress", then "Approved" or "Rejected". If approved, the quantities are adjusted and the corrected invoices appear under "Manual collection invoicing documents > Invoices". A resolved dispute cannot be re-filed for the same quantities, so the file must be complete from the first submission.

The deadline and the documents that make the difference

The central rule of the guide is the deadline: 5 working days from the date RetuRO sent the invoice to the retailer. Whoever checks self-billed invoices once a month simply loses the right to dispute. Checking invoices in the platform has to become a routine - ideally weekly, and in high-volume periods at every issue.

The second condition is evidence. The guide requires supporting documents attached to the dispute: the record of returned products, proof of the seals handed over and the CMR or other transport documents. In other words, the dispute is prepared before it is needed: if the record of sealed bags and the documents of every pickup are not kept in order from the start, the 5-day deadline leaves no time for reconstruction.

Key points:

The dispute deadline is 5 working days from the invoice being sent - self-billed invoices must be checked in the platform at every issue, not at month-end.
A dispute without documents stands no chance: keep the record of packaging handed over, the seals and the transport documents for every pickup.
A resolved dispute cannot be re-filed for the same quantities - the file is submitted complete from the start.

Legal basis: Government Decision no. 1074/2021 establishing the deposit-return system for non-reusable primary packaging, as amended; RetuRO announcement of 22 September 2026 and the "Guide on disputing quantities invoiced on behalf of retailers for manual collection" (RetuRO, 22.09.2026).

What we do

At Circulad'OR we support retailers and producers with all DRS obligations - from organising collection records and checking self-billed invoices to preparing documented disputes and the day-to-day relationship with RetuRO. If the figures in your self-billed invoices do not match your own records, write to us before the 5 days run out.