Notifications for Moldova (31 notifications)

The draft Government Decision establishes the quality requirements for caseins and caseinates intended for human consumption, transposing into national legislation the provisions of Directive (EU) 2015/2203, including specifications regarding types of casein and caseinates, protein content, moisture, fat, impurities, and permitted additives. The act aims to protect consumer health, ensure product traceability, harmonize the legal framework with European standards, and facilitate international trade.

The notified measure provides for the temporary suspension of imports of poultry meat, poultry by-products and products containing poultry meat originating from Ukraine into the territory of the Republic of Moldova.The suspension applies at border inspection posts and will be reviewed based on guarantees and information provided by the competent veterinary authority of Ukraine, as requested by the National Food Safety Agency.

The draft document is designed to update the provisions of Government Decision No. 679/2024 approving the Regulation on the application of protective measures against organisms harmful to plants, in accordance with the amendments made to the Community provisions, transposed into the aforementioned normative act and in order to implement the provisions of Article 31(1) of Law No. 422/2023 on measures for protection against organisms harmful to plants, regarding the establishment of requirements for the introduction into the territory of the Republic of Moldova of plants with naturally or artificially inhibited growth, intended for planting, of Chamaecyparis Spach, Juniperus L. and certain varieties of Pinus L., originating in Japan and the Republic of Korea; of tubers of Solanum tuberosum L., other than those intended for planting, originating in certain regions of the Lebanese Republic; the introduction into the country of veneer of several species of Acer L. originating in Canada; unrooted cuttings intended for planting of Calibrachoa spp., Petunia spp. and their hybrids from Guatemala and Kenya.Similarly, the draft legislation has been drawn up in the context of harmonizing national legislation with EU legislation in the phytosanitary field and, in this regard, it creates the necessary framework to: partially transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 of November 28, 2019, laying down uniform conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards protective measures against organisms harmful to plants;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 of 18 December 2018 establishing a provisional list of high-risk plants, plant products, or other objects within the meaning of Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, and a list of plants for which no phytosanitary certificates are required for introduction into the Union, within the meaning of Article 73 of the same Regulation;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1213 of 21 August 2020 on phytosanitary measures for the introduction into the Union of certain plants, plant products, and other objects that have been removed from the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1941 of 13 October 2022, on prohibiting the introduction, movement, possession, multiplication, or release of certain harmful organisms pursuant to Article 30(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2852 of 11 November 2024 establishing a derogation from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/ 2072 as regards the requirements for the introduction into the Union of naturally or artificially growth-inhibited plants intended for planting of Chamaecyparis Spach, Juniperus L. and certain varieties of Pinus L., originating in Japan, and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1217;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1310 of 27 June 2023 establishing a derogation from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the introduction into the Union of naturally or artificially growth-inhibited plants intended for planting of Chamaecyparis Spach, Juniperus L. and certain varieties of Pinus L., originating in the Republic of Korea;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1572 of 25 July 2023, establishing a derogation from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the introduction into the Union of tubers of Solanum tuberosum L., other than those intended for planting, originating in certain regions of the Lebanese Republic;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/659 of 3 April 2025 derogating from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the requirements for the introduction into the Union of veneer of several species of Acer L. originating in Canada and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1078 of 2 June 2025 establishing a derogation from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the introduction into the Union of unrooted cuttings intended for planting of Calibrachoa spp., Petunia spp. and their hybrids from Guatemala;transpose Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1082 of 2 June 2025 establishing a derogation from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 as regards the introduction into the Union of unrooted cuttings intended for planting of Calibrachoa spp., Petunia spp. and their hybrids from Kenya.

The present Order was issued for the implementation of Article 5, paragraph (1) of Law No. 403 of 21 December 2023 on the placing on the market of plant protection products and the amendment of certain legislative acts. It also transposes Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 540/2011 of 25 May 2011, implementing Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of approved active substances. The purpose of these provisions is to harmonize the authorization procedure for plant protection products with the European Union's authorization procedures, aiming to prevent risks through a comprehensive risk assessment process for each active substance and for the products containing that substance, before they are authorized for marketing and use. At the same time, these provisions aim to enhance the transparency of the regulatory process, providing clarity for manufacturers and distributors regarding the substances allowed on the market, thereby improving food safety, environmental quality, and supporting agricultural exports.

The present Order was issued for the implementation of Law No. 403/2023 on the placing on the market of plant protection products and for the amendment of certain legislative acts. Furthermore, the provisions of this Order transpose the requirements of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC.These provisions aim to align national regulations with EU standards, thereby facilitating the placing on the market of plant protection products, promoting their free movement, and ensuring that agricultural producers have access to the necessary products containing acceptable co-formulants. This contributes to the protection of public health, the environment, and consumer safety.The annexed list of unacceptable co-formulants prohibits their use in plant protection products, aligning the Republic of Moldova framework with EU rules and helping to ensure safety and transparency in international trade.

This Government Decision introduces emergency phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the following harmful organisms into the territory of the Republic of Moldova:Phyllosticta citricarpa (McAlpine) Van der Aa, affecting certain citrus fruits from Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe; Aromia bungii (Faldermann), targeting Prunus spp. wood materials; Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al., linked to seed potatoes originating from Egypt. These measures transpose, in part, the following EU acts:- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/632; - Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1503; - Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2011/787.

Government Decision No. 113/2025 amends Government Decision No. 938/2018, which establishes the rules for border control of goods subject to supervision by the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA). The amendments update the list of controlled tariff codes in line with the new Combined Nomenclature of goods, clarify procedural aspects for the import/export of food products of animal and plant origin (processed), animal feed, and organic products, and define new control requirements for plant protection products (pesticides). The measure also transposes: • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, concerning reinforced controls and emergency measures for certain high-risk products from third countries; • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2389, establishing harmonised inspection frequencies for consignments of plants, plant products and other regulated goods.

The drafting of the new GD aims to revise and update the provisions of the Quality Requirements for Meat Preparations and Products. Issues such as traceability, food safety and quality, access to international markets, and consumer protection are becoming increasingly important for government authorities, as well as producer and processor associations. The sector is under growing external competitive pressure, facing a wider variety of products on the market, rising production costs, especially in meat production. Additionally, unfair competition arises from the import of lower-quality meat preparations and products sold at lower prices compared to domestically produced goods, which are both higher in quality and cost. The provisions to be included in the project will have a positive impact on both the consumer and the producer. Establishing clear quality requirements will help the producer comply with them, while the control authorities will ensure adherence to these requirements. The approval of the draft Government Decision aims to adjust the regulatory framework for implementation, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the applicable legislation, without placing financial pressure on producers or importers.

The amendment on the Law on veterinary and sanitary activity No. 221/2007 is made through the Art. IV, point 5 of the Law No. 373/2023 which states the following: "On the market of the Republic of Moldova, only animal products and by‑products subject to veterinary health control are introduced, originating from imports, which have the right to import into the European Union market or which are imported based on an equivalence agreement concluded with the competent authority of the country without the right to import into the European Union market, following an audit."

The sanitary regulation regarding the addition of vitamins and minerals, as well as certain other substances in food products, is supplemented by chapter V1 - Establishing the maximum allowable content of trans fatty acids in food products, which represents the following:the content of trans fatty acids, other than trans fatty acids naturally occurring in fat of animal origin, in foods intended for the final consumer and in foods intended for retail sale shall not exceed 2 g per 100 g of fat;food business operators supplying other food business operators with food not intended for final consumption or retail shall ensure that they are provided with information on the amount of trans fatty acids other than naturally occurring trans fatty acids in fats of animal origin, if that amount exceeds 2 g per 100 g of fat.

The Government Decision No. 589/2023 approved the Regulation on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of alcoholic beverages and transposes the Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of designations of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in spirit drinks.

The provisions of the Law introduced new concepts for alcohol production, changes to labelling, changes to the chapter on quality and safety. In addition, the Law transposes the provisions of the Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of designations of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in spirit drinks.

The Law aims to achieve a high level of protection of human health and consumer interests in relation to food safety, taking into account the diversity of the supply of food products, including traditional products, ensuring the efficient functioning of the national market. The amended Art. 22, paragraph 2 of the Law 306/2018 - Export of food products and feed for animals from the Republic of Moldova states the following:(2)  At the request of the food operator, the National Food Safety Agency certifies the safety of food products intended for export or re-export by issuing a HEALTH CERTIFICATE. The HEALTH CERTIFICATE is issued following the results of laboratory tests carried out by the reference laboratory or an accredited laboratory, which confirm the conformity of the food products with the food regulations of the exporting country. When performing the laboratory tests, the samples are taken by the authority issuing the certificate. The HEALTH CERTIFICATE model is presented in annex no. 2.The scope of the amended provisions is the harmonization of the national legislation with the Regulation (EC) no. 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union of 28 January 2002 establishing the principles and general requirements of food legislation, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and establishing procedures in the field of food safety, published in the Official Journal of the European Union L 31 of 1 February 2002, as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

This Draft Government Decision concerns with the inclusion of the requirement for a quality certificate issued by the producer:The modification and supplementation of Annex No. 1 with organoleptic characteristics for various types of chocolate;The modification and supplementation of Annex No. 2 with physico-chemical indicators for chocolate and cocoa powder;The repeal of Annex No. 3 "Declaration of Conformity."The draft GD also transposes the provisions of the EU Directive 2000/36/EC relating to cocoa and chocolate products intended for human consumption and incorporates the Codex Stan 87-1981 (amended in: 2016, 2022) concerning the standards for chocolate and chocolate products and the Codex Stan 105-1981 (amended in: 2010, 2013, 2016, 2022) for cocoa powder and dry cocoa and sugar blends.

The document introduces additional measures regarding a temporary intensification of controls during the entry into the Republic of Moldova of the certain categories of consignments of food and feed of nonanimal origin. The measures are introduced due to the high risk of contamination by salmonella, mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, pesticide residues, pentachlorophenol and dioxins and microbiological contamination.

The notified measures represent an update of the maximum residue levels (MRLs) established for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.

This draft regulation aims to ensure animal health and welfare, human health and guarantees the right to safe food, by making feed operators responsible. The draft government decision on the approval of the veterinary sanitary requirements for animal feed regulates the following aspects:-Feed safety requirements;-Requirements for feed intended for special nutritional purposes;-Labelling, presentation and packaging of animal feed;-Hygiene requirements for animal feed;-Requirements for the import and export of animal feed;-Establishing good practices in animal feeding;-Requirements for feed businesses;-Recommending a list of feed materials; -Establishing the responsibilities of feed business operators. The project also contains provisions that will ensure the safety of animal feed in terms of chemical impurities resulting from the manufacturing process, undesirable and toxic substances in animal feed.

The notified draft contains changes intended to ensure coherence and consistency in the implementation of several legislative acts, following the repeal other acts, as well as additional provisions, as mentioned below:- Changes to the Law no.221/2007, Law no.10/2009, Law no.50/2013, Law no.279/2017, Law no.296/2017:The changes intend to ensure coherence and consistency in the process of the implementation of the existent legal framework, following the repeal of certain legislative acts, particularly, Law no. 78/2004 and to Law no. 113/2012.- Changes to the Law no.279/2017 on the provisions of food information for consumers:The draft law contains additional provisions establishing general requirements for labelling of food products sold in bulk, in public catering establishments, and the basis for adopting acts implementing the requirements regarding the indication of ingredients and additives contained in food products that cause allergies (known to cause hypersensitivity).In the same context, the draft law comes with additional provisions regarding the labelling of food products. In particular, these provisions will clearly stipulate the necessity of marking of the date of manufacture, the minimum durability or the shelf life, depending of the perishability of the products.-Changes to the Law no.296/2017 on the provizions of general food hygiene requirements:Another article of this project briefly stipulates the requirements for the marine transportation, in bulk, in tanks, of liquid oils and fats intended for human consumption with the purpose of ensuring the food safety and human health.

The abovementioned document is related to stepping up measures to prevent the introduction of Avian Influenza disease in the territory of the Republic of Moldova, following the OIE notifications. It introduces a temporary restriction on the import of live poultry, poultry meat and edible offal of fowls, hatching eggs, eggs and egg products for consumption, semen, ova and embryos from birds receptive to Avian Influenza virus from Ukraine, given the fact that Ukraine did not notify the implementation of principle of regionalization. The measure is imposed on a temporary basis, until the epizootic situation on the territory of Ukraine is stabilized.

Following the immidiate notifications and follow up reports published by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) regarding the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in Ukraine (Vinnitsa region, REF OIE 32998, report date 20 January 2020) and specific regions from EU member States, the Republic of Moldova applies a precautionary measure to prevent the risk of introduction and spread of H5N8 virus through the imports of live birds and their products from the relevant regions. In this context, the mentioned Order No. 29 from 24 January 2020 relates to stepping up measures to prevent the introduction of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 disease in the territory of the Republic of Moldova. It  introduces  a  temporary  restriction  on  the  import  of  live  poultry, and birds, poultry  meat  products from the regions of the countries mentioned in the point 4. The measures are taken on a temporary basis, until the stabilization of the epizootic situation in the mentioned regions based on OIE reports. The applied measures are in compliance with Chapter 1.3 and 10.4 of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code.