Since December 7 of the current year, new legislative provisions that change the legal framework for the application of the “polluter pays” principle have come into force. At the same time, it should be noted that in Moldova itself most of the waste cannot be recycled. Batteries, accumulators and other electrical equipment must be exported abroad, which increases the costs of entrepreneurs. There is no possibility to recycle oils. These wastes are sent for recycling to Romania, Poland, Germany and Austria.
The relevant rules are prescribed in a new regulation approved through Government Decision No. 577 of September 10, 2025, in order to bring them in line with the provisions of the Law on Waste and to strengthen the legal framework for extended producer responsibility (REP). As the authors of the document explain. “To ensure a more consistent and effective application of the polluter-pays principle”.
Based on this decree, several other provisions will be amended and supplemented to regulate the rules for the disposal of packaging and packaging waste, waste electrical and electronic equipment, as well as the rules for the management of decommissioned vehicles, batteries and accumulators, battery and accumulator waste, waste oil and tires.
“The updated documents clarify both financial and organizational responsibilities for waste management, including separate collection, sorting and recycling,” comments Denis Makowski, an environmental specialist from the public association PRO REP UP, a collective waste management system, which currently has over 70 companies as members. – Thus, there are mandatory requirements to sign an agreement with local authorities for the creation of additional infrastructure, including its financing, for the management of municipal waste – batteries, electrical and electronic equipment and all types of packaging. In addition, provisions regarding the establishment of collection points for used glass packaging have been unified.
“The points where consumers can return used bottles and other glass packaging for a certain fee, according to the legislation, must be established at companies that import and sell such goods, no later than February 2027,” says Denis Makowski. – The updated documents also stipulate the role of local authorities, which organize tenders to determine the waste disposal operator, and in general in the creation of an additional system of municipal waste management. As well as the role of the operators themselves in the system of extended responsibility of the REP producer”.
There are new requirements for collective waste management systems as well. They are obliged to re-register as public associations (non-profit organizations), if they were originally formalized otherwise. Previously, they could be foundations or patronage organizations.
