August 8, 2024 – The Economic Council to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova held a meeting of Working Group 2 “Facilitating the green transition and cross-border trade,” chaired by the European Business Association. The main topic of the meeting was compliance with the requirements for the management of packaging and packaging waste as stipulated by the current regulatory framework. The discussions focused on identifying barriers that hinder companies from complying with the principle of extended producer responsibility and proposing solutions for better implementation of Government Decision No. 561/2020.

Participants in the meeting – representatives of business associations, collective systems, and economic operators – both small and large companies – as well as development partners, discussed the obstacles faced by companies in trying to comply with packaging management regulations. The main barriers identified included a lack of legislative clarity, high costs associated with adapting to new requirements, insufficient infrastructure for the collection and recycling of packaging waste, and cumbersome procedures for registering collective and individual systems.

The importance of improving cooperation between public authorities and companies to ensure the effective implementation of legislation and promote good practices in packaging management was also emphasized. During the discussions, several solutions were proposed to support companies in the process of complying with environmental requirements. Participants agreed that the Secretariat of the Economic Council will collect proposals for amending the regulatory framework discussed, both those voiced during the meeting and those to be submitted by August 15, 2024.

Subsequently, the expert team will develop a position paper that will be proposed for examination and consideration to the relevant ministry for the adjustment of Government Decision No. 561/2020. Government Decision No. 561/2020 provides a regulatory framework for stimulating environmentally friendly practices in the industrial sector and facilitating international trade by reducing administrative and regulatory barriers.

The ongoing legislative amendments aim to align national policies with international and European standards on sustainability and economic efficiency. Discussions on the final draft of the amendments to the regulatory framework will take place at the Economic Council.

The Secretariat of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, funded by the UK Government’s Good Governance Fund.