Regulatory framework on civil protection and fire safety aligned with European standards

Chișinău, September 29, 2026 – Lawmakers adopted in the second reading a draft law aimed at improving the regulatory framework in the field of civil protection and fire safety.

The document updates the regulatory framework in the field of civil protection and fire safety in line with the provisions of the Law on Crisis Management. The amendments seek to transition to an integrated model for managing risks and disasters, based on the stages of prevention, preparedness, response, and post-disaster recovery.

The amendments seek to strengthen the role of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES), as the national competent authority in the field of civil protection, as well as to clarify the cooperation mechanisms with the National Crisis Management Center, in its capacity as a structure with a strategic role.

The GIES competencies have been expanded with regard to coordinating risk assessment, disaster prevention and preparedness processes, as well as implementing the decisions of the Government and the National Crisis Management Commission. The GIES responsibilities in the field of urban planning and construction have also been updated. The institution will issue consultative opinions upon the acceptance of construction works and participate in risk assessment processes.

At the same time, the draft law provides for the establishment of an information-sharing mechanism among authorities, including through interoperable platforms. This will enable the exchange of data on risks, response capacities, and the level of preparedness of the structures involved.

Another provision of the draft law concerns the regulation of the training and certification of specialists in the field of civil protection and fire safety. Thus, responsibility for training in the field of civil protection for staff within central and local public administration authorities, personnel of civil protection units, economic operators, and non-commercial organizations will rest with their managers. Training will be conducted according to the specific nature of the activity and in accordance with the preparedness measures approved annually by the Government.

Other amendments concern the introduction and regulation of integrated disaster risk planning, as well as reporting on the occurrence of disasters, their causes and effects, and the measures taken to eliminate their consequences.

The draft law was developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is included in the National Program for the Accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union for 2025–2029, with a view to harmonizing national legislation with the EU acquis in the field of civil protection.

The law will enter into force upon the expiry of three months from the date of its publication in the Official Journal.