THE PROJECT

This project supports Moldova’s EU accession by strengthening quality infrastructure institutions to meet EU requirements and to enhance the competitiveness and innovation capacity of Moldovan enterprises. It integrates recommendations from the EU screening processes, contributing to Chapter 1 of the EU Acquis (free movement of goods).

A three-level capacity sharing strategy tailored to individuals, organizations, and society is implemented through the following measures: at the individual level, technical and managerial staff within quality infra structure institutions receive targeted training to strengthen the competencies they need to deliver services that are relevant to their stakeholders. This includes, for example, supporting metrology institute personnel in submitting new calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) pertinent to the electronics sector, as well as for international recognition. At the organizational level, institutions are supported in enhancing internal processes and expanding their service portfolios in accordance with market needs. The standardization institute, for instance, is supported in navigating new responsibilities for full CEN/CENELEC membership. At the societal level, cooperation among actors is strengthened through awareness raising for quality-related services and a coordination mechanism bringing together quality infrastructure organizations under the lead of the Ministerul Dezvoltării Economice și Digitalizării (MDED). The MDED is further advised and accompanied in developing a national quality infrastructure programme through a participatory process involving all relevant stakeholders. This approach simultaneously strengthens service supply and stimulates demand.

By strengthening the institutional framework, expanding technical capacities of quality infrastructure organi zations and improving companies’ understanding of the benefit of quality-related services, the project contributes to ensuring that the Republic of Moldova increasingly meets the requirements of EU approxima tion in the field of quality infrastructure. A strengthened and more coordinated quality system improves the consistency of reforms, ensures smoother alignment with the EU Acquis, and reinforces international recognition of Moldova’s quality infrastructure. More coordination among national quality infrastructure institutions and a participatorily developed national quality infrastructure programme are the foundation of transparent, accountable institutions. Enhanced technical competencies enable institutions to provide previously unavailable services — with a particular focus on the electronics sector, reducing reliance on costly foreign alternatives. The training of skilled personnel — particularly women in technical professions — and improved access to regional knowledge products further promote equal opportunities and broaden participation in the sector. As companies gain a clearer understand ing of the relevance of these services for their competitiveness, demand for quality infrastructure grows, reinforcing the sustainability of the system. Together, these developments contribute to a more capable, better connected, and market-oriented quality infrastructure that reduces costs for businesses, supports competitiveness, and improves conditions for the implementation of the Agreement on Conformity Assess ment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA).

The project is planned and implemented in close cooperation with the MDED. Moreover, the cooperation involves the national quality infrastructure institutions and representatives of the private sector with a focus on the electronics industry.

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