The Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova regulates criminal liability, defines offences, and establishes penalties within the national jurisdiction. The Code is structured into a General Part and a Special Part. The Special Part contains provisions establishing liability for various categories of offences, including crimes against peace and security of humanity, crimes against the person, offences against constitutional rights, crimes against property, economic offences, environmental crimes, offences against public safety and public order, offences against public health, crimes against state authority and public administration, crimes against justice, transport‑related offences and military crimes.
With respect to environmental crimes (Chapter IX), the Code establishes criminal liability for violation of environmental safety requirements in the design, assessment, authorization, construction, operation and decommissioning of installations and activities. It provides for liability for non‑fulfilment or improper fulfilment of obligations relating to environmental protection, for concealment or presentation of false data concerning environmental pollution, and for failure to eliminate the consequences of environmental damage. It also establishes liability for breach of rules governing the management, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of chemical substances and waste, including hazardous and radioactive materials.
The Code establishes criminal liability for pollution of soil, unlawful exploitation of soil resulting in modification of its characteristics, violation of requirements concerning the protection of subsoil, unauthorized use and exploitation of subsoil, pollution of surface and groundwater, unlawful alteration of the course of water, unauthorized use of water resources, and pollution of atmospheric air through the breach of established emission limits or operational requirements.
The Code provides for criminal liability for logging and destruction of forest vegetation, reduction or unlawful use of forest land, destruction or deterioration of forest areas and protective zones, hunting without authorization, illegal fishing, unlawful exploitation of aquatic resources, and violation of the regime governing the administration and protection of state‑protected natural areas.