“The EU Strategy for Standardization” identified construction as one of the most relevant areas where harmonized standards can increase competitiveness and reduce market barriers. At the same time, under the Association Agreement, Moldova has committed itself to take the necessary measures to progressively meet the EU objectives in the field of technical regulations, standards, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment and market surveillance system.
So far, this area has been regulated by the Technical Regulation on minimum requirements for the sale of construction products (PP No. 913/2016), and the Regulation on the organization and functioning of a single window for the development of technical assessment in construction (PP No. 913/2014),
Some provisions of the current documents are not sufficiently clear or duplicate each other, and are not able to ensure the achievement of broader policy priorities, in particular the green and digital transition, the explanatory note notes.
To improve safety in construction, the area of regulation at EU level, the so-called “harmonized area”, is clearly defined. National environmental policies applicable to construction should not be considered a prohibition or an obstacle to placing products on the market if they comply with the harmonized area. Thus, in order to clarify its scope of application, the regulatory authority approves and publishes in the Official Monitor of RM the list of Moldovan standards that adopt harmonized European standards applicable to construction products.
In order for producers to demonstrate that construction products comply with EU requirements, they need to draw up a declaration of characteristics and conformity before placing them on the market. In this way, the manufacturer assumes responsibility for the conformity of the products with the declared characteristics and applicable requirements.
According to Pavel Kaba, Chairman of the Federation of Patronages of Builders, Road Builders and Manufacturers of Construction Materials Condrumat, harmonization with European standards will lead to an increase in the quality of construction materials, as manufacturers will be forced to bring their production and technological processes in line with them. Although this requirement has been in force for a long time, many people ignored it. And most importantly, foreign markets will open up for local building materials. This may require re-equipment of the entire building materials industry and will spur building materials producers to do so. Since many work in the old way, produce low-quality products, which then affects the reliability of construction works. As a result, consumers suffer.
“Despite the fact that there are regular inspections, businesses sometimes do whatever they want. There is still an unfair attitude towards this production. The quality of construction materials should be checked in the same way as the quality of construction and installation works,” Pavel Kaba notes.
According to him, the organizations for issuing certificates will have to be recertified. And manufacturers in accordance with the Regulation will have to submit to these organizations documents confirming that they have switched to European standards, that they have modernized technology and materials for domestic and foreign markets meet EU requirements.
Currently, 6 conformity assessment bodies are recognized for notification in Moldova:
- State Institution “Office of Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Construction and Housing”;
- Certmatcon SRL;
- Inmacomcert SRL;
- SC Inspection-Certification-Quality SRL;
- Technical Center for Industrial Security and Certification SRL;
- SC “CONTROLCONSTRUCT” SRL.
At the same time, according to the norms, conformity assessment organizations are obliged to inform the Market Surveillance Authorities, upon their request, about the conformity assessment carried out. The regulatory authority is then responsible for the activities of the organizations recognized for notification purposes.
As noted in the draft decree, the use of standards is mandatory if they are approved by the List of harmonized standards. Construction products covered by such standards shall bear CE marking, confirming their conformity with the declared characteristics. Such products may move freely in the single market.
For the convenience of manufacturers, bodies issuing declarations of characteristics and conformity must provide them electronically. And to minimize the administrative burden on small and medium-sized enterprises, it is recommended to apply simplified procedures, including exchange of test results, recognition of certificates, cascading of technical documentation and declarations without evaluation. Which would allow such enterprises to use a more lenient evaluation and verification system in order to reduce the requirements for customized products that do not involve mass production.
Manufacturers would have to fulfill more obligations to bring their products to market, but at the same time they would gain more business opportunities, according to the authors of the project. A more efficient functioning of the single market will reduce production costs and, consequently, prices. It will also give construction companies access to a wider range of products.
