No. Objective The measure from the ap

By creation of premises for signing of the Agreement of Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products in the Republic of Moldova was undertaken a series of institutional and legal adjustments:

1.Was approved the strategic documents which stipulates actions for harmonization of the quality infrastructure

in the Republic of Moldova with EU practices and principals – Government Decision nr. 859 from 31.07.2006 on approbation of the Quality Infrastructure conception in the Republic of Moldova. Were elaborated 3 laws which stipulate a series of new principal’s aspects: law nr. 420 – XVI from 22.12.2006 “on technical regulation activity”, law nr. 421 – XVI from 22.12.2006 on modifications and compilations of law nr. 590 – XIII from 22 September 1995 on standardization” and law nr. 422 – XVI from 22.12.2006 “on general products safety”.

2. was elaborated the draft of law on modification of Law on alteration of the law on conformity assessment of the products nr. 186- XV din 24 April 2003. Alteration operated are done for the adjustment of the present legal frame to the international standards ISO/CEI serie 17000, Relevant Guide ISO, Council Resolution on Global Approach from 21.12.1989 and Council Decision 93/465/EEC.

3. Was approved Government Decision nr. 395 from 17.04.2006, which was harmonized with European Union Council Decision 93/465/CEE from 22.07.1993.

4. According to the National Programme of Elaboration of Technical regulations (Government Decision nr. 873 from 30.07.2004) by the regulation authorities were elaborated 58 drafts of technical regulations, by harmonization with EU Directives, respecting a relative high level of harmonization.

5. Was undertaken actions for signing in the period of 12-16 November 2007, at Paris, at the 23rd meeting of the General Conference of Measure and Weight of the “Mutual recognition arrangement of national measurement standards and of calibration and measurement certificates issued by national metrology institutes signatory y of the Convention of Metre” (Arrangement CIPM MRA).

6. Was obtained accreditation from the accreditation bodies TGA and DAP from Germany for certification of the products body and testing product stuff laboratory from National Institute of Standardization and Metrology (NISM).

7. Assurance in continue the developing, and renovation of the Standards Base through realization of the Government Decision of the Republic of Moldova nr. 1169 from 29 September 2003 on “Developing Programme of the National Standards System of the Republic of Moldova for 2003-2008”

By Law nr. 421 –XVI from 22.12.2006 on alteration and compilation of the Law on standardization was implemented the principals of assurance of the transition process from the compulsory application of the standards for the volunteer application of that.

By achievement of the transition process from compulsory standard at the compulsory volunteer standards and technical regulations was done the national programme of elaboration of the technical regulations. Mentioned

Programme are the base for creation of the technical legislation frame and includes the responsible institutions, the terms of implementation, also communitarian legislation of reference for each regulation in part.

Department of Standardization and Metrology of the Republic of Moldova (DSM RM) has done integral this Programme in the part of it competence: was elaborated and approved 9 technical regulations.

In that context was approved the Law nr. 420-XVI from 22.12.2006 on technical regulation activity, elaborated for assurance of the harmonization of the established process of the regulation requires.

With a view to elaborate the national programme of adoption of the international and european standards as national standards was realized the selection of the standards of the other countries (member-state EASC and Romania) identical with European standards harmonized with New approach Directives. Was identify standards which presents national adoption of the European standards and which entered in the National Found of Standards for examination of the possible adoption of that in quality of national standards.

Was formed the automatized data base of the european standards taken over by other countries and European directives entered in the National Found with the purpose of informational assurance of the regulations authorities in the process of elaboration of the technical regulations.

With the purpose of harmonization of the national standards system with international and european requires in the period of 2005-2007 years was adopted as national standards 100 European standards (EN) and 479 International Standards (ISO/CEI).

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2. Reinforce institutional capacity on standardisation, accreditation, conformity assessment, metrology and market surveillance, integrating the Moldovan institutions, to the extent possible, in the European structures, namely the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA), CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. Full membership of the International Standards Organisations ISO, IEC and ITU. Revise the institutional arrangements in this area to avoid the concentration of functions within a single institution.

With the purpose of reinforce of the institutional capacity on standardization within the framework of the project TACIS „Harmonization of the national standardization system in Moldova” was done study tour in the EU countries (Italy, Austria, Germany, Great Britain, and Romania) and training course with the personnel of DSM, NISM and regulation authorities from the country. Altogether was trained over 200 persons. Law nr. 421 – XVI from 22.12.2006 on modification and compilation of the law on standardization nr. 590 – XIII – stipulates creation of the independent National Institution of Standardization and designation of the central specialty organ of the public administration responsible of the Quality Infrastructure. Are elaborated the draft law on modification and compilation of the Law on metrology nr. 647 –XIII from 17.11.1995 which stipulates creation of the National Institute of Metrology and institution of the Central Authority of Metrology. With the purpose of reinforce of the institutional capacity on conformity assessment, within the framework of the project TACIS „Harmonization of the national standardization system in Moldova”, was endowed with modern equipment 2 laboratories (food stuff products and petrol products) from National Institution of Standardisation and Metrology and Technical Center for Industrial Safety and Certification, as well as practical trainings of the experts from the respective tasting laboratories. Experts from the laboratories have done practical trainings in the European laboratories. Also, in the period of implementation of the projects was done a series of seminars and study tours with the subjects bounded up by tasting the electrodomestical products, practical implementation of the requires of the standards ISO 17025 and internal audit, uncertainty and measurement traceability for the tasting laboratories. Integration, in the possible limits, in the relevant international structure: At the 01.03.2007 Republic of Moldova became partner member at the European Committee of Standardization (CEN) (Law nr. 119 –XVI from 04.05.2007, Official Monitor of the Republic of Moldova nr. 70-73/328 from 25.05.2007) with the right to participate at the 4 technical committee CEN (CEN/TC): CEN/TC 224 Personal identification, electronic signature and cards and their related systems and operations; CEN/TC 275 Food analysis. Horizontal methods; CEN/TC 302 Milk and milk products. Methods of analysis and sampling; CEN/TC 338 Cereal and cereal products. In the purpose of participation and signing of the different agreements at the international level through the Law nr. 327 – XII from 15 December 2005 Republic of Moldova joined General Conference of measure and Weight of the International Organization of Metrology „Convention of Metre”. In the context of harmonization with administrative and legislative of EU and international practices through the Law nr. 186 – XV from 24.04.2003 on conformity assessment products and Government Decision nr. 1646 from 31.12.2003 was created Accreditation System of the Republic of Moldova, and as Unique Accreditation Body was assigned State Enterprise “Accreditation Center in conformity assessment products field” (ACCAF) and was transferred as subordinated to Department of Standardization and Metrology under jurisdiction of Ministry of Economy and Trade in the purpose of the respecting the principles of fairness and independence. Assessment of ACCAF to conformity of the international standards of reference for accreditation body also the requirements of EA done by European experts demonstrated the necessity of revision and elaboration a new draft law on accreditation harmonized in accordance with the European and international reference documents requires in the purpose of signing EA MLA (mentioned in the action plan of the Infrastructure Quality Conception) At 09 June 2005 at the General Assamblee of European cooperation for accreditation (EA), unfolded in Helsinki (Finland) was signed the cooperation contract, the first step to become a wholly member and signing the Mutual recognition agreement with EA (EA MLA). By signing EA MLA by ACCAF, the results of the activities of conformity assessment accredited (conformity certificates, testing reports) will be recognized by member state of EA.

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3. Approximate legislation on liability for defective products and general product safety.

With the purpose to approximate national legislation to the EU requirements on liability for defective products and general product safety have been undertaken such measures: 1) Approximation of the national legislation with the Council Directive 2001/95/CEE on general products safety. Completed. The law no.422-XVI of 22.12.2006 on the general product safety was adopted and enforced (Published in the Monitorul Oficial no.36-38/145 of 16.03.2007) 2) Approximation of the national legislation with the Directive 85/374/CEE on the liability of the producer for defective products. The draft law for amending and complementing the Civil Code was developed and sent to the Government for adoption.

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4. Simplify procedures to avoid compulsory certification of non-risk products and multiple testing of products.

In order to simplify procedures in the field of conformity assessment was implemented supplier’s declaration of conformity through GD no. 395 from 17.04.2006. According to this document have been ensured approximation of the conformity assessment procedures to the EU standards stipulated in Council Decision 93/465/EEC concerning the modules for the various phases of the conformity assessment procedures and the rules for the affixing and use of the CE conformity marking, which are intended to be used in the technical harmonisation Directives. Also, through GD no. 1469 from 30.12.2004 the Nomenclatore in the field of reglementation of the products complied with compulsory conformity certification . From this Nomenclatore was excluded goods checked by other services (sanitary, veterinary and other) in oreder to avoid doubling of conformity assesment procedures. In this context, the document above mentioned with 33 % have been reduced.

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5. Develop market surveillance capacities based on best practice of EU Member States.

Within te purpose to develop administrative capacities in the field of market surveillance through the adoption of the Government Decison no.586 of 16th of June 2005 on the adoption of the Regulation, structure and personnel of the SMS, the functions were clearly separated between those of state supervisory control and of the conformity evaluation.

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Elimination of restrictions and streamlined administration (EU non-harmonised areas)

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Facilitate the movement of goods and improve administrative co-operation.

1. Prevent discriminatory measures and ensure interested parties have the opportunity to identify problems and comment on draft legislation.

The draft normative and legislative acts that are related to the facilitation of trade are placed on the institutions’ web sites, in this way the transparency and the participation of the interested parties in providing comments on the respective drafts is ensured. More then this regularly round tables are organised with the participation of the interested private stakeholders, during which comments for the suggested legislative or normative acts, strategies or concepts are being discussed. In general terms for the facilitation of the foreign trade were fulfilled a number of measures among which the approximation of the national legislation to the EU norms, implementation of the IS ASYCUDA World, approximation of the Customs Code of the Republic of Moldova with the Customs Code of EU, implementation of the new customs declaration form with protection signs, implementation of the single account for payments of customs duties by the economic agents, etc.

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2. Ensure there is a contact point dealing with implementation of the movement of goods, which could also be used to improve information flows between the EU and Moldova and to exchange information with operators.

Wit the objective of development of the customs informational system the ASYCUDA World was implemented. This is a substantial instrument for the optimisation of the foreign trade facilitation of the Republic of Moldova and allows: - to maintain, update and administrate the database of the undertakings and of the main obligations resulting from the applications that are addressed to the Customs Service; - information processing from the customs declarations and from other operations of import/export made by the physical persons; -information distribution regarding the foreign trade transactions to the established authorities; -providing statistical reports and presenting these to the requesting authorities; -monthly and every three months providing relevant information to the partner countries regarding the foreign trade that was made with them, etc.

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3. Analyse legislation and procedures to identify and progressively remove any discrimination against imported products. Analysis could initially focus on national measures covering the weight, composition, labelling, manufacture and description of products.

Completed The study in this field was elaborated and will be made public.

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Sanitary and phytosanitary issues

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Increase food safety for Moldovan consumers and facilitate trade through reforms and modernisation of the sanitary and phytosanitary sectors.

1. Fully implement the requirements of the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).

The WTO Secretariat was notificated on contact points in the field of SPS and TBT. In order to ensure transparency in the field of SPS measures, sanitary veterinary norms and regulations are published in the Official Journal of Republic of Moldova. In the same time, sanitary and phytosanitary regulations are placed on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry. Republic of Moldova actively participates at the activities of relevant international organisations, in particular at Codex Alimentarius Commisssion.

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2. Accede to the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation and increase its active participation in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), International Plant Protection Convention and Codex Alimentarius.

Republic of Moldova has adhered to the European and Mediterranean Organisation for Plant Protection (EMOPP) on 24^th of February 2006 (law no.16-XVI of 10^th of February 2006 on the adherence of the Republic of Moldova to the Convention for creation of EMOPP). In the context of being a member of the International Office for Epizootics since 1994, the experts from the Directorate Veterinary Medicine participated in the framework of the General Meetings of the IOE Committee, where were examined issues on the field of veterinary certification, diagnosis and expertise animal welfare and other.

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3. Assess the sanitary and phytosanitary control systems, in particular, at the state border, to compare with EU and international requirements.

At the end of 2005 and first semester 2006 a mission of the World Bank and FAO carried out a visit in order to evaluate phytosanitary control service. As result of performed evaluation were formulated some recommendations that must be taking into account. In order to improve situation, Phytosanitary Service purchased express tests for tracking down of quarantine objects at the state border check points, as well as developed Quarantine, Identification and Expertise Centre, being fitted out with performed microscope and other laboratory equipments, that will permit to carried out immunofluorescent analysis for tracking down bacteria disease. Also, computer network was improved, being connected to the informational network of Custom Service (border check points: Leuşeni, Sculeni şi Costeşti). At the same time, in order to issuing certificates correctly „Specific requirements for introduction and circulation of vegetation plants and other objects into EU” are in the process of elaboration Carrying out monitoring of the territory of Republic of Moldova aiming to tracking down quarantine objects Diabrotica virgifera Le conte, Phthorimaea operculella Zell,Trogoderma sp. Sp were purchased pheromones, being ensuring all border and rayon’s phytosanitary quarantine units. With the purpose to align sanitary and phytosanitary control systems at the state border, to the EU and international requirements, in the Law sanitary veterinary activity MAFI purposed essential measures which stipulates reorganization of veterinary supervise at the border veterinary inspection points. In this context, normative acts concerning measures and organisation at the border inspection points were elaborated and was submitted to the Government for approval (Commission Decision 91/496/CEE, 97/794/EC, 94/360/EC, Regulation 282/2004, 136/2004, Directive 2005/94/EC).

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4. On the basis of the reply by the Commission on Trade in Animal Products, draw up a comprehensive list of measures for gradual convergence towards EU principles of hygiene in food processing, accompanied by timetables for the transposition of EU legislation and a financing plan. Start approximation to EU legislation on the hygiene in food processing.

In conformity with the Action Plan for overcoming the deficiencies identified by the DG SANCO experts of EU, as a result of their mission on 23-27 of may 2005, the following activities were performed: - The legislation for regulating the process of identification and registration of animals in Moldova was developed and approved; - As a result of the adoption of the Waste plan for the residues for the honey, starting 24^th of February 2007, Moldova was included in the list of third countries that can export honey on the Community market; - In march 2007 was sent to the experts of the EC Commission the plan of monitoring the residues of living animals and products of animal origin for the year 2007, that includes a separate section for eggs; - The detailed plan of trainings in the field of residue was developed; - On 8^th of February 2007, the training of the veterinarians was performed for the implementation of the sanitary – veterinary norms in the field of residues in the products of animal origin and living animals; - The plan for avian flu contingency was developed and approved; - Operational manuals for New Castle disease, classic swine fever and aphtha fever were developed and approved; - During the process of training of the veterinarians and of the undertakings from Moldova, with the support of FAO, the training course on “application of HACCP in the alimentation processing enterprises from Moldova” was preformed in the period of 24^th – 3 of may 2007. - On 16^th of April 2007, with the support of TAIEX instrument, and in collaboration with the EC experts, was organised the seminar on “the dialog and the joint activities between the countries of IOE from EU and other member states of the Regional Commission of IOE for Europe”. At the seminar the veterinary authorities and other line ministries were acknowledged with the role and obligations of the veterinary service in the member states of EU and other states in the process of adherence. - Meetings of the responsible authorities from MAFI and the representatives of processing units interested in exports to EU were organised, urmare cărora by the veterinary services with the support of the FSP experts this units have been evaluated, being esatblished concrete terms in order conform with the EU requirements in this field; - The strategy and the procedure of evaluation of the regional and rayon veterinary laboratories was developed; - The structure of CRDV was evaluated and the critical points of reorganisation were identified, in order to ensure a system of quality insurance, based on the modern mechanisms, adequate to the EU standards. - The new law on veterinary activity was adopted by the Parliament, law by which the state and private veterinary services will be restructured and reorganise.

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5. Increase convergence of food law with EU food safety principles (Regulation 178/2002/EC) and EU general foodstuff labelling requirements (Directive 2000/13/EC); and progressive abolition of pre-market approval systems for food products.

In order to approximate the existing legislative framework to the EU standards in the agro-alimentary sector, the following actions were undertaken: With the EC experts support 4 regulations concerning hygiene and food safety and official controls of veterinary authorities were elaborated and are in the process of adoption (Regulation(EC) 854/2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption, Regulation (EC) 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, Regulation (EC) 853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, Regulation (EC) 882/2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules). In accordance with the National Programme on elaboration of technical regulations: 22 regulations was adopted, 8 technical regulations have been submitted to the Government for approval and 9 have been submitted to the relevant institutions for review.

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6. Prepare first steps for setting up of an animal identification and traceability system (in particular for cattle)

In order to setting up up of an animal identification and traceability system, Food Safety Program of European Commission allocated above 3 million Euro – grant for the state budget aiming at launching National System for animal identification and registration. With this purpose next steps have been undertaken: - Law no. 231-XVI from 20 July 2006 on animal identification was adopted; -By the Government Decision no.119 of 7^th of February 2007 was created the State Enterprise “Animal Registry” subordinated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry; - in the period of 15.03.07 – 19.03.07 the public auction no. 255/07 for the acquisition of integral instruments and services for identification, registration and animal traceability was performed; - According to the minutes of the working group sessions no.7, for acquisitions, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry as the winner was awarded the LLC “DAAC System”, with the conclusion of the purchase contract, according to the procedures; - According to the order 51-p of 19.03.2007 the head of the SE “Animal Registry” was selected -According to the order no.57 of 22.03.2007, the statute of the SE “Animal Registry” was adopted; - At the present, the working space of the SE “Animal registry” is being established as well as the local for the database server. - according to the order no.43 from 16.05.2007, Veterinary Authority have been appointed responsible persons for the implementation of the System for animal identification and traceability at the rayon and territory level, as well as their obligations; - LLC“DAAC System” has delivered to the MAFI calculation equipment and identification tools. - animal movement forms and exploitation cart have been approved in line with the methodology - the soft was elaborated in accordance with the existing national registers; - the Central Data Base server was installed, as well as networks between territorial work points with Data Base server; - training plans for four courses were elaborated, and during the period 19.07.07 – 20.09.07 have been already organised In present, the System for Animal Identification and Traceability is being integrated in the intergovernmental network, as well as the security channel is being organised between SE ”Animal Register” and SE “Register”. - According to the Law no. 231-XVI of 20.07.2006 (art. 5 p.2.), was developed the regulation “procedures and documents for the identification and traceability of animals”, that was positively reviewed by the entrepreneurs, after the operation of amendments for certain provisions of the draft as result of collaboration with the experts.

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7. Fulfilment of EU requirements on animal health and for the processing of animal products (c.f.: “General Guidance for third country authorities on the procedures to be followed when importing live animals and animal products into the European Union”, DG SANCO/FVO October 2003)

In conformity with the provsions of the “General Guidance for third country authorities on the procedures to be followed when importing live animals and animal products into the European Union” – 28 normative acts was elaborated by the Veterinary Authority and 15 are in the process of elaboration.

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8. Identify national reference laboratories in the sanitary and phytosanitary sectors, with a special attention given to the necessary equipment and appropriate methods of analysis (residues of pesticides/contaminants) and their accreditation.

In order to implement this measure, the Republican Centre of Veterinary Diagnosis (RCVD) was appointed – in the field of veterinary diagnosis and food safety. In the same time, in august 2006 begun to build up Test Laboratory of Animal Origin Products in line with EU standards, which are in the process of finalisation; a) three laboratories in the veterinary diagnosis sector was appointed: Republican Centre of Veterinary Diagnosis- Chisinau, central south regional laboratory- Cahul, north regional laboratory – Donduseni. b) in the field of food security: Test Laboratory of Animal Origin Products within RCVD, satellite north laboratory- Donduseni and south laboratory –Cahul. In present, National Laboratory of Veterinary Diagnosis and Test Laboratory of animal origin products, as well as Donduseni filial were accredited in accordance with international standards ISO 17025. Also, certification laboratories for food products have been endowed with performed equipments, fact that will permitted their accreditation by the competent institutions of the EU. Also, certification laboratories for food products have been endoweded with progressive equipmwnt, ceea ce va permite acreditarea acestora by the competent institutions of the EU. According to the Government Decision no.275 of 16^th of March 2006, are in the process of creation a number of labs for Phytosanitary quarantine, which will perform expertise of specimens from cargos in export, import or transit, under Phytosanitary quarantine. In the period of 28^th of January 2007 and 2^nd of February 2007 an UN FAO expert mission was organised in Moldova, as a result the draft project “Providing with necessary support for creation and strengthening of the national laboratories of reference in the Phytosanitary area and development of the agrochemical servicing” was developed. The respective project is being adopted, and starting august it implementation should commence.

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