Passed by Parliament: Tractors and agricultural machinery to be type-approved in line with European standards

Agricultural and forestry vehicles will be subject to type approval. A draft law providing for this was passed by Parliament in the second reading.

The legislative initiative, drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, transposes European standards into national legislation. The document stipulates that these types of vehicles must be designed, constructed and assembled in such a way as to minimize the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other participants in the technological process.

According to the draft law, tractors, trailers, interchangeable towed machinery and their components may be placed on the market, registered or put into service only if they have undergone type approval and are accompanied by a certificate of conformity. The document will confirm that the vehicles meet the requirements concerning operational safety, environmental protection and workplace safety, without endangering people’s health and safety.

The Government will designate or establish the authority responsible for type approval, as well as the market surveillance authority. In the case of imported vehicles that already hold type approvals granted under the UNECE regulations to which the Republic of Moldova is a party, the type approval procedure will not be repeated.

During the second reading, the draft law was supplemented with several provisions. Thus, the type approval authority will also recognize approvals granted in the European Union without repeating the procedure. At the same time, a simplified type approval procedure was introduced for individual vehicles, including used vehicles, as well as for trailers, tracked tractors and special-purpose tractors. Vehicles approved through this procedure may be used only within the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

The implementation costs of the draft law are estimated at approximately 3.46 million lei. The funds will be used to establish the type approval and market surveillance authorities, designate and equip the technical service, and accredit it. The expenses will be covered from the state budget and available external technical assistance.

Statistical data show that 47% of the tractors and agricultural machinery imported into the country come from China, 29% from Japan, and 13% from European Union member states.

The Law on Type Approval and Market Surveillance for Agricultural and Forestry Vehicles will enter into force within 48 months from the date of its publication in the Official Journal.

 

Communication and Public Relations Department of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova