Law No. LP98/2022 “On atmospheric air quality”.

The scope of this Law is to create a legal framework to strengthen institutional capacity for monitoring and assessing air quality to identify and apply effective emission reduction measures of air pollutants to levels that minimize overall harmful effects on human health and the environment. This Law regulates measures at national level regarding: (a) monitoring and assessing air quality throughout the national territory based on common methods and criteria established in accordance with the requirements of European Union standards and international treaties, to which the Republic of Moldova is a party; (b) obtaining information on ambient air quality to facilitate combating air pollution and the negative consequences it causes, and also for long-term monitoring of trends and improvements as a result of adopted national and regional measures; (c) providing the public with information about the quality of atmospheric air; (d) maintaining air quality where it meets air quality standards established in Annex 2, and its improvement in other cases; (e) ensuring cooperation with neighboring States to reduce air pollution; and (f) ensuring the fulfillment of obligations undertaken within the framework of international agreements to which the Republic of Moldova is a party. This Law establishes standards, assessment regimes and regimes of air quality management, territorial division criteria of the Republic of Moldova into zones and agglomerations, as well as protection measures to maintain air quality in accordance with European Union standards. When implementing this Law, the following principles are observed: (a) the principle of sustainable air quality management; (b) the principle of preventing air pollution; (c) the principle of prudence in decision making; (d) the “polluter pays” principle; and (e) the principle of transparency and accessibility of information and data. Ambient air quality is assessed based on limit values observed during a certain period of time, which cannot be exceeded once they are reached. The National Air Pollutant Emission Inventory System ensures the collection of the necessary data, as well as the processing of information in order to develop a national inventory of air pollutant emissions. The Environment Agency annually provides the public with quality report through any readily available media on atmospheric air quality at the national level for all pollutants. This Law contains IX Chapters divided into 45 Articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions. Chapter II establishes powers and duties. Chapter III regards quality assessment of atmospheric air. Chapter IV regards monitoring and management of air quality. Chapter V regards measures for the protection of atmospheric air. Chapter VI regards information and accountability. Chapter VII regards international cooperation. Chapter VIII establishes powers to exercise control and liability for violation of the legislation on atmospheric air quality. Chapter IX lays down final and transitional provisions.