International and Regional Standardization Bodies Strengthen Cooperation

Enhanced Cooperation in Standardization

The Republic of Moldova has taken a significant step towards strengthening cooperation with international and regional standardization bodies, as outlined in its new standardization law. The law, which entered into force on March 10, 2000, emphasizes the importance of participating in the processes of preparing, adopting, and applying technical regulations.

Key Provisions

• Authorities responsible for standardization have been granted various attributions to ensure compliance with international (regional) standards and the WTO/TBT Agreement.
• Article 18 requires authorities to fulfill the provisions of the Code on Practice for the Preparation, Adoption, and Application of Standards of the WTO/TBT Agreement.
• Coordination with the National Standardization Body is also required regarding terminology and conformity with international (regional) standards.

State Control and Supervision

Monitoring Compliance

Article 19 outlines the state control and supervision of the observance by economic agents of requirements of technical regulations adopted in the Republic of Moldova. This control is carried out at various stages, including: + Preparation + Production + Delivery + Commercialization + Usage + Custody + Transportation

Responsibility and Objections

Accountability

Article 20 outlines the responsibility for infringing the provisions of the present law. Authorities preparing, adopting, or ensuring the application of technical regulations that infringe the provisions of the law will be brought under: + Administrative responsibility + Penal responsibility + Civil responsibility in accordance with current legislation.

Objections to Interpretation

Objections to the application and interpretation of the law are examined by courts in a way that is within the legal justification of the Republic of Moldova, as outlined in Article 21.

Financial Support

Funding Mechanisms

The financial resources for preparing technical regulations and creating informational resources (database) will be: + Personal means + Cooperative means of authorities, with expenditures accounted for at the cost of supplied services, according to Article 22.

Implementation Timeline

Key Milestones

Article 23 outlines that by January 1, 2002, authorities are obliged to adopt and make known technical regulations that enhance provisions of respective standards regarding: + Life and health protection + Security of natural persons + Environment + Consumers’ interests

The law will be implemented in accordance with the timeline outlined in Article 24, which requires the Government to elaborate and present proposals for adjusting existing legislation to conform with the new standardization law within three months.