The President of Ukraine has signed Law No. 4921-IX “On State Regulation of Organic Production, Circulation and Labelling of Organic Products.” The law updates the rules governing the functioning of the organic market in accordance with the requirements of the European Union and represents an important step within the framework of European integration.

The law implements the provisions of European Union legislation that establish modern approaches to organic production, control, and product labelling.

Key innovations introduced by the law:

• introduction of a modern system of state control, in which authorised certification bodies will play the primary role under state supervision;
• harmonisation of production and labelling requirements with EU rules;
• expansion of the list of organic products and clear definition of certification categories;
• introduction of group certification for operators;
• establishment of new state registers, including the Register of Organic Animals;
• introduction of transparent rules for the circulation of organic products, including requirements for sales to the final consumer.

Particular attention is given to the reform of the state control system. The new model provides for a division of responsibilities: certification bodies will carry out scheduled inspections of operators, while the state will oversee their activities through a system of supervision and audits. This approach is consistent with EU practice and makes it possible to reduce the administrative burden on businesses.

For businesses, this means easier access to the EU market, fewer bureaucratic barriers and inspections during export, as well as increased confidence in Ukrainian organic products among international partners. Producers will have the opportunity to increase prices due to verified quality and organic status, while small-scale farmers will be able to cooperate and undergo group certification. In addition, the law opens up new opportunities for the development of related sectors, including processing and organic aquaculture.

The document forms part of Ukraine’s implementation of its commitments under the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union and the negotiation process under Chapter 11 “Agriculture and Rural Development.”

The adoption of this law is an important step towards updating the rules governing the functioning of the organic products market and strengthening confidence in Ukrainian organic products in international markets. It also creates new opportunities for the production of higher value-added products and ensures that small-scale producers can operate in the organic sector on equal terms.

Implementation of the law will contribute to the development of rural areas, the creation of new jobs, and the transition to sustainable agricultural production in accordance with the principles of the European Green Deal.

Source: https://minagro.gov.ua