Moldova Restricts Hazardous Chemicals in Products

SG 141/26

Moldova restricts the use of specified hazardous substances in products.

In September 2026, Moldova issued Government Decision No. 456 of August 19, 2026 (‘Decision No 456/2026’, versions in Romanian or Russian in Monitorul Oficial No. 475-476 (art. 535) or on the Ministry of Justice website). The measure establishes conditions for the manufacture, placing on the market and use of specified substances, mixtures and articles.

Decision No. 456/2026 transposes Annex XVII of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (Annex XVII of REACH, consolidated version to June 2026 for reference) into Moldova’s domestic law. It reflects Annex XVII of REACH as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/859 concerning 2,4-dinitrotoluene in articles.

What does this regulation require?

Key provisions in the new law include:

• Establishing substance-specific prohibitions, concentration limits, permitted uses, exemptions, labeling, information requirements and conditions for professional and industrial use. Examples include:
  • Benzene in toys (entry 5)
  • Asbestos fibers on their own, in mixtures and in articles (entry 6)
  • Organotin compounds, including trisubstituted organotin and dioctyltin (DOT) compounds in articles, and dibutyltin (DBT) compounds in mixtures and articles (entry 20)
  • Cadmium in a) mixtures and articles produced from specified synthetic organic polymers (plastic materials), b) paints and c) metal components of jewelry, imitation jewelry and hair accessories (entry 22)
  • Nickel release from a) post assemblies inserted into pierced ears and other pierced parts of the human body and b) articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin (entry 26)
  • Azo dyes capable of releasing specified primary aromatic amines (PAAs) in textile and leather articles that may come into direct and prolonged contact with human skin or the oral cavity (entry 39)
  • Chromium (VI) compounds in leather articles that come into contact with the skin (entry 42)
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a) extender oils used in the manufacture of tires, b) rubber or plastic components of articles, including toys and childcare articles, that come into direct and prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with human skin or the oral cavity and c) granules or mulches used as infill material in synthetic turf pitches or in loose form on playgrounds or in sport applications (entry 45)
  • Four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP) in toys, childcare and other articles (entry 46)
  • Three phthalates (DINP, DIDP and DNOP) in toys and childcare articles that can be placed in the mouth (entry 47)
  • Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in articles (entry 55)
  • Lead and its compounds in a) jewelry and b) articles supplied to the general public where the article, or any accessible part thereof, may be placed in the mouth by children under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use (entry 57)
  • Bisphenol A (BPA) in thermal paper (entry 60)
  • C₉-C₁₄ perfluoroalkyl acids (C₉-C₁₄ PFCAs), their salts and related substances as substances on their own, as constituents of other substances, in mixtures and in articles (entry 61)
  • Formaldehyde release from a) furniture and wood-based articles and b) articles other than furniture and wood-based articles (entry 70)
  • Synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM, aka microplastics) in specified applications (entry 71)
  • Undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances in specified product categories (entry 72)
• Identifying Moldovan standards harmonized with European standards for demonstrating compliance with the restrictions on azo colorants:
  • SM EN ISO 17234-1:2025 (Leather – Chemical tests for the determination of certain azo colorants in dyed leathers, Part 1: Determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants)
  • SM EN ISO 17234-2:2014 (Leather – Chemical tests for the determination of certain azo colorants in dyed leathers, Part 2: Determination of 4-aminoazobenzene)
  • SM EN ISO 14362-1:2017 (Textiles – Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants, Part 1: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants accessible with and without extracting the fibers)
  • SM EN ISO 14362-3:2017 (Textiles – Methods for determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants, Part 3: Detection of the use of certain azo colorants, which may release 4-aminoazobenzene)
• Authorizing the Ministry of the Environment to develop and approve harmonized standards for the list of prohibited and restricted chemical substances and mixtures by June 22, 2027

Abbreviations

Who is impacted?

The restrictions affect manufacturers, importers, retailers and other economic operators that place regulated substances, mixtures and articles on the Moldovan market.

When does it apply?

Unless otherwise specified, Decision No. 456/2026 will enter into force on September 23, 2027.

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