PHOTO // Judges and prosecutors from Moldova trained on integrated environmental permits and liability for damage

A group of 16 practicing judges and prosecutors participated in a training session dedicated to integrated environmental permits and liability for environmental damage. The session was organized by EcoContact Public Association in partnership with the National Institute of Justice.

The training aimed to strengthen magistrates’ skills in examining environmental cases and focused on the connection between the permitting procedure, inspection activities, and the examination of cases involving violations of environmental legislation, EcoContact explains.


“The discussions were based on the provisions of Law No. 227/2022 on Industrial Emissions. The legislation regulates the integrated environmental permit, an authorization document issued by the Environment Agency for the full or partial operation of an installation or for carrying out the industrial and economic activities listed in Annex No. 1 to the law. Participants also examined the regulatory framework governing the procedure for issuing permits. The organization and provision of permit-issuing services are established by Government Decision No. 779/2025, while the stages of the procedures and the responsibilities of the institutions involved are described in the Guide approved by Order No. 99 of the Minister of Environment dated May 27, 2026,” the cited source indicates.


In addition, lawyers with practical experience in applying environmental legislation and representatives of the Environment Agency presented the concept of the integrated permit, its scope of application, and the procedure for issuing it.

Representatives of the Environmental Protection Inspectorate addressed issues concerning compliance inspections of the conditions established in environmental permits, as well as the legal consequences of violating them.


“A distinct part of the training was dedicated to liability for environmental damage and the assessment of losses. The topic was examined by lawyers and representatives of the inspection authority, with an emphasis on the practical aspects necessary for identifying and documenting damage. The criminal dimension of violations of environmental legislation in the area of permitting was presented by a judge and trainer from the National Institute of Justice. Participants analyzed issues related to the investigation of facts, the administration of evidence, and the examination of cases,” EcoContact states.


According to the organizers, the training aimed to develop the skills necessary to identify the violated provisions, establish legal liability, and examine environmental cases.

The session held on September 17 launched a series of three training sessions scheduled for autumn 2026. The next sessions are planned for September 24 and October 1 and will address the legal framework governing forest and hunting resources, and water and subsoil resources, respectively.

The upcoming topics will include identifying violations, assessing damage, state inspections, and the forms of legal liability applicable in the environmental protection.

The three training sessions are part of the program Specifics of Investigating and Examining Environmental Cases in the Republic of Moldova, carried out by EcoContact in partnership with the National Institute of Justice as part of the project Green Justice for a Protected Environment and Sustainable Communities in the Republic of Moldova, financially supported by Sweden.