Project Summary:

Moldova is party to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna, March 22, 1985) and Montreal Protocol (Montreal, September 16, 1987). As of 1996 and since 2010, the country  has committed to gradual phase-out of ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) mostly because of their high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and the significant climate benefits this would generate.

The project is supporting Moldova in reaching the hidrochlorofluorocarbons  (HCFC)  immediate phase-out target of a 2013 freeze at the 1.00 ODP tones baseline and subsequent 10% reduction of the baseline by 2015.

To achieve this goal, it helps develop regulatory measures on ODS in line with the new phase-out schedule of HCFCs, increase the capacity of technicians dealing with ODSs and/or HCFCs and strengthen the vocational training system which will contribute to timely implementation of HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP).
 
Successful implementation of project will result in a sustainable reduction of a minimum of 1.7 metric tons in the national HCFC consumption by 2015, contributing to Moldova’s compliance with the 2013 and 2015 control targets for HCFCs.

Accomplishments:

• Final draft of the National Phase-out plan for HCFCs for 2013-2040 is awaiting approval by the Government of Moldova by end-2014.The updated legal framework regulating HCFCs import, export and consumption will support Moldova in maintaining consistency with international obligations on HCFCs reduction;
• Customs officers trained on monitoring and control of imports and exports of ODSs and ODSs-containing equipment.  Refrigeration Association has better technical capacities and expertise to detect and prevent illegal trade of ODS as well as best practices in the refrigeration sector;
• The introduced certification system for technicians and companies dealing with ODS and HFCs as part of the National Phase-out Plan for HCFCs and in line with the EU requirements clearly defines the level of competence of refrigeration technicians thus encouraging use of good refrigeration servicing, maintenance and containment practices leading to unnecessary consumption of ODS and HFCs. The system will authorize the respective technicians to conduct business practices, including purchase of refrigerants, under a set of agreed rules, and thus promote formalization of trade.