CONSUMER RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE TRANSITION TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY: INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES FROM ENVIRONMENTAL, CIVIL AND EUROPEAN LAW.

The paper analyzes the Republic of Moldova's transition from a linear economy to a circular one from the perspective of the legal protection of consumers. It starts from the premise that the circular economy entails not only technical and economic transformations, but also a profound restructuring of the legal framework, which must respond to new requirements of sustainability and environmental responsibility. At the center of this transition is the consumer, whose legal protection must be expanded by recognizing new rights: the right to information on the environmental impact of products, the right to repair beyond the warranty period, the right to durable products, and the right to compensation for environmental harm. The paper compares the Moldovan regulatory framework with recent European Union regulations, highlighting existing legislative and institutional gaps. Finally, it underscores the need for a coherent legal reform that integrates the principles of the circular economy into national legislation and transforms the consumer into an active participant in the ecological transition--an adaptation essential for aligning the Republic of Moldova with European standards and for ensuring long-term sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]