Last Published: 11/2/2017

Overview

Moldova inherited its principles of metrology, standardization, testing, and quality from the Soviet era, where manufacturers had to follow compulsory standards.  The country’s transition to free-market economy, coupled with the accession to the WTO in 2001, triggered a revision of the old system and movement toward a philosophy that standards are industry-initiated and market-driven.  New laws were passed in keeping with Moldova’s WTO commitments and aspirations for European integration.  The country has increased its efforts to harmonize its quality assessment system with European standards especially after signing the AA/DCFTA.

The major functions of accreditation, certification, and market surveillance have been separated.  Starting in 2007, all national standards became voluntary.  The country is adopting a number of technical regulations, mainly transposing EU directives and regulations.

Standards

The country's central standardization organization is the National Institute for Standardization.  The Institute adopts standards and maintains the national fund of standardization documents.

Moldova originally adopted a number of Soviet GOST (state standards developed in the Soviet Union).  Under its AA/DCFTA, Moldova has to adopt the body of European standards.  To date, some 10,200 (43%) out of 23,500 European standards (CEN/CENELEC) have become Moldovan national standards, including the harmonized standards of which almost all have been transposed (97%). The number of the withdrawn conflicting standards (including GOST) remains small.  Overall, approximately 60% of the existing 27,700 national standards still represent the former CIS standards (GOST).

Moldova is a correspondent member of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML); an associate member of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA), and the Meter Convention; an affiliated member of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC); full member of the Euro-Asian Cooperation of National Metrological Institutions (COOMET); and an observer to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

Moldova is a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).  It is also member of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO).

Testing, inspection and certification

The Ministry of Economy is responsible for the development of policy in the field of standardization, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment, and for overseeing the following public institutions: National Institute of Standardization (NIS), National Institute of Metrology (NIM), National Center of Accreditation (MOLDAC), and Consumer Protection Agency (CPA).

Products certified in the country of origin, with which Moldova has signed agreements on mutual recognition of results of product conformity assessment, undergo a procedure of recognition of the certificates of conformity.  Moldova has signed such agreements with a number of CIS states.  Starting with June 2012, the country recognizes EU-issued certificates of conformity and test reports translated into Romanian.

National Institute for Standardization (NIS)
National Center of Accreditation (MOLDAC)
Full registry of recognized conformity assessment bodies can be found here.
Consumer Protection Agency

Publication of technical regulations

Central public authorities work out and approve technical regulations for their areas of responsibility.  Technical regulations are published in the official gazette Monitorul Oficial.

Contact Information

Ministry of Economy
Piata Marii Adunarii Nationale 1, Chisinau MD2033, Moldova
Tel. (373 22) 23 31 40

National Institute for Standardization (NIS)
Str. Eugen Coca 28, Chisinau MD2064, Moldova
Tel. (373 22) 74 85 42
Fax (373 22) 24 54 14
office@standard.md

National Food Safety Agency (ANSA)
Str. Mihail Kogalniceanu 63, Chisinau MD2009, Moldova
Tel. (373 22) 29 47 30

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