In a letter to the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Minister of Environment and Water Asen Lichev submitted Bulgaria’s request and political commitment to join 13 OECD recommendations in the field of environment and chemicals.

Bulgaria clearly and categorically expresses its political will to accelerate the process of gaining OECD membership. One of the planned activities to deepen participation in the organization is to join new OECD legal instruments. (To date, Bulgaria has joined 14 instruments in the field of environment and chemicals). To this end, the MOEW analyzed and identified 13 new instruments for Bulgaria to join: Council recommendation on integrated pollution prevention and control, Council recommendation on environmental indicators and information, Council recommendation on strengthening policies for reducing noise pollution, Recommendation of the Environment and Tourism Council, Recommendation of the Council on the reporting of the state of the environment, Recommendation of the Council on noise abatement policies, Council Recommendation on the principles of coastal management, Council Recommendation on the principles of transboundary pollution, Council Recommendation on the application of the polluter pays principle, Council Recommendation on guidelines for the international economic aspects of environmental policies, Council Recommendation on the prevention of, preparedness for and response to chemical accidents, Council recommendation on the application of the “polluter pays” principle, Council recommendation establishing guidelines on the procedure and requirements for predicting the effects of chemicals on humans and the environment.

“In cooperation with several national institutions, we have analyzed and highlighted a number of OECD recommendations that are in line with Bulgaria’s environmental priorities. In this regard, we are confident that Bulgaria has developed policies and legislation through the national or the European legislative processes that are in line with the principles of the recommendations,” reads the written statement.

The intention of the Republic of Bulgaria to join the 13 recommendations was approved by a government decision of October 14, 2021. As a candidate member of the organization so far the country has joined the smallest number of legal instruments compared to the other candidates - Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Romania, and Croatia. By joining the listed legal instruments, the MOEW contributes to accelerating the process of acquiring membership in the OECD. A positive signal has been sent to the Member States and Bulgaria has demonstrated perseverance, commitment, and consistent efforts for full membership.

Recommendations are among the main legal instruments of the organization. They are an expression of the political will of acceding countries and have great moral strength. The parties to a recommendation are expected to do their utmost to implement it, although it is not legally binded.

The submitted request will be reviewed according to an internal organizational procedure, after which the Council should notify our country of its decision.