Republic of Moldova

Improving sustainable institutional and regulatory framework for chemicals and waste management throughout their lifecycle in the Republic of Moldova

Charting a Safer Path: Transforming Moldova's Chemical Waste Management

The Challenge

The Republic of Moldova has faced challenges in chemical waste management over the years. There was no chemical or waste database to guide and monitor the movement of hazardous chemical substances, putting the country’s people at risk. The government had expressed its desire to establish a unit dedicated to chemical and waste management,  but this had stalled. While the country was a signatory to multiple international environmental agreements, it had no regulatory framework in place to enforce or implement these agreements. 

The Project
Moldova and the UNEP joined forces to strengthen the country’s ability to manage chemicals and waste while adhering to international standards. The main focus of the project was to improve sustainable management of chemicals and waste by providng comprehensive training to stakeholders and bolstering institutional coordination and regulatory frameworks in the country. Key objectives included updating national profiles, developing regulatory frameworks, improving reporting under international conventions, establishing a chemicals registry, and conducting training programs on environmental regulations for the private sector.

The Impact

The project was impactful in various ways. It laid the groundwork for the creation of a chemicals registry in Moldova. The registry covered waste imported and exported to and from Moldova, in transit, and transferred within the country. Additionally, the project updated the national chemicals management profile based on data collected from all the relevant institutions. 

The government is now moving forward with the establishment of a dedicated chemicals unit. The unit will provide one interface for importers and exporters, manufacturers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to better coordinate chemical management activities.

The project also supported the development of regulations, including the creation of the National Agency for the Regulation of Nuclear, Radiological and Chemical Activities; the Regulation on Hazardous Chemicals; and the Regulation on Waste Shipment. Despite some delays, approvals were obtained, with the Waste Shipment Regulation finally approved in 2022 after revisions with technical assistance.

Other impacts of the project include strengthening coordination across different agencies and improving the quality of reporting to different environmental conventions, including the Basel, Minamata, and Stockholm Conventions.

Project Story

2019 - Advocating for stronger commitment to achieve sound chemicals and waste management in the Republic of Moldova