National system for preventing and combating money laundering to be aligned with EU standards

The institutional framework for the operation of the Service for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering (SPCSB) will be aligned with European standards through the introduction of the status of financial intelligence officer, the implementation of mandatory periodic professional certification, and the simplification of the management structure. The Parliamentary Committee for National Security, Defense and Public Order will propose that Parliament’s plen examine, in first reading, a draft law to this effect.

According to the document, the status of financial intelligence officer will be established, in line with international standards in the field. The new status regulates the responsibilities, professional safeguards, rights and obligations of the specialized staff of the SPCSB.

The draft law, developed by the Ministry of Justice, introduces mandatory professional certification for employees of institutions and companies that have reporting obligations in the field of preventing and combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The law defines this training certificate, sets the conditions for obtaining it and provides for its periodic renewal, at least once every three years. Currently, national legislation regulates training in this field, but does not provide a mechanism for periodic professional certification. The SPCSB will have the legal competence to organize such training, to develop methodological materials and to coordinate the national training platform, thus becoming the institutional reference center for professional training in the field.

The draft also provides for reducing the number of SPCSB deputy directors to one. This adjustment aims to streamline the decision-making process and increase managerial responsibility, while aligning the Service’s internal organization with the requirements of the Egmont Group – the international network of financial intelligence units from over 160 countries, of which the SPCSB is a member.