EU CBRN CoE Project 100 Strengthens Frontline Biosafety and Biosecurity Capabilities: Moldova Approves Interagency SOP for Prevention and Response to Public Health Hazards at Border Crossing Points
24/2523 Jun 2026
Kyiv, Ukraine – 3 June 2026
The Republic of Moldova has taken a major step toward strengthening national preparedness against biological threats by formally approving an interagency Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent the cross-border transmission of public health hazards at state Border Crossing Points.
The SOP was approved through a Joint Order signed on 3 June 2026 by the General Inspectorate of Border Police, the Customs Service, the National Agency for Public Health, the National Food Safety Agency, and the National Centre for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Assistance.
The signing ceremony, held at the headquarters of the General Inspectorate of Border Police in Chi?inau, marks an important milestone under the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence Initiative Project 100 “Strengthening of Front-Line Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures in South East and Eastern Europe”, implemented by the Science and Technology Centre in Ukraine (STCU).
The newly approved procedure establishes a unified operational framework for the prevention, detection, notification, risk assessment, and coordinated response to public health hazards at Moldova’s Border Crossing Points. It clarifies the roles and responsibilities of frontline and specialized authorities and strengthens cooperation among institutions responsible for border management, customs control, public health, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary control, and emergency medical response.
The SOP represents the culmination of a comprehensive technical process supported by Project 100, including the SOP Implementation Workshop held in Cahul in February 2026, where Moldovan authorities worked together to adapt the Project 100 biosafety and biosecurity framework to the national legal and operational environment.
By approving the procedure, Moldova has transformed Project 100 guidance and Standard Operating Procedures into a nationally endorsed operational instrument. The document establishes common notification procedures, coordinated response mechanisms, information-sharing arrangements, and clear interagency responsibilities for managing biological, chemical, and other public health hazards with potential cross-border implications.
The procedure strengthens Moldova’s capacity for early detection and rapid response to public health threats and contributes to the implementation of national early warning and rapid response mechanisms, while supporting compliance with relevant international standards and best practices.
Representatives of the participating national institutions attended the signing ceremony, the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, and Project 100 representatives.
The newly approved procedure will now enter the implementation phase, including dissemination within participating institutions, integration into operational practices, staff training, and validation through the upcoming Field Training Exercise scheduled to take place in Cahul later this month.
The Republic of Moldova is the first Project 100 partner country to formally institutionalize the project’s interagency biosafety and biosecurity framework through a nationally approved joint procedure, providing an important model for other countries in the South East and Eastern Europe region.
Through Project 100, STCU continues to support partner countries in the South East and Eastern Europe region in strengthening frontline biosafety and biosecurity capacities, contributing to improved prevention, detection, and mitigation of CBRN risks at borders and points of entry.
STCU, together with the EU, extends its appreciation to all participants, presenters, and organizers who contributed to the success of these events. Their engagement and expertise were vital in achieving the shared mission of a safer, more secure region. This initiative underscores the EU’s and STCU's dedication to strengthening BS&S measures in the SEEE region and fostering international collaboration to mitigate biological threats effectively.