Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
In January 2024, with the financial support of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, a consortium consisting of the local think-tank Expert-Grup, IPRE, and FSM, launched a new project that envisages to consolidate the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova. This project’s importance for the Republic of Moldova is highlighted by the fact that consumer protection is a key component of the association agenda and the European integration process.
The project is structured in such a way as to address two fundamental causes affecting the whole consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova. On the one hand, poor regulation coupled with a weak and fragmented institutional framework creates a flawed consumer rights ecosystem. On the other hand, poor knowledge of consumer rights by media institutions and the general public further perpetuates distrust in the free-market instruments and heavily affects competition.
As a result, the overall objective of the project is to raise awareness and the enforcement of consumer rights in the Republic of Moldova.
The general objective will be achieved through two specific objectives. The first specific objective aims at increasing the capacity of the Government and consumer rights authorities to enforce legal provisions and ensure respect for consumer rights.
The achievement of this specific objective will be ensured mainly via the technical assistance that will enable the Government and the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitisation (MDED) to accelerate the process of harmonisation with the EU acquis and improve the consumer protection framework. In order to increase the institutional capacity to implement consumer protection legislation, the project foresees the development of an information system that would facilitate petitioning and monitoring of petitions’ resolution. In addition, recommendations will be made to strengthen the State Inspectorate for the Supervision of Non-Food Products and Consumer Protection, to enhance its coordinating role and its function as a national contact point for consumer protection.
In order to provide advice and assist consumers, both at national level and in the context of cross-border disputes, the project foresees the creation of the European Consumer Centre.
The second specific objective aims at increasing Moldovan consumers’ knowledge and capacities to promote their rights. To achieve this objective, the consortium will support the implementation of an extensive consumer rights awareness campaign. In addition, 5 media organisations will be identified and provided with sub-grants for the elaboration of journalistic investigations, articles, radio and TV programmes on topics related to consumer rights and actions consumers can undertake if their rights are violated.
The implementation of the tasks listed above will be ensured by the consortium’s project team, supported by 6 experts in the field of consumer protection, governance, legislative approximation, and IT. The time allocated for the implementation of the project is 30 months.
Project implementation period: January 2024 - June 2026
Donor: European Union
The project will be implemented by the Independent Think-Tank Expert-Grup in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms and the Soros Foundation Moldova