Business asks to extend the terms for the implementation of the new requirements for food labeling

05/ 02/ 2021

Listen to online Stop   March 5, 2021, marks the end of the transition period established by the Mineconomy, during which food companies are required to apply information to the packaging of goods in a new format for applying. These are the requirements envisaged by the Order №969 of the Mineconomy of July 5, 2017. Due to the fact that in 2020 the consumption of certain categories of food products decreased significantly and accordingly led to the fall in sales, the companies ended up stocking s significant number of packaging materials. Therefore, if the transition period is not extended, companies will have to write off large quantities of packaged food and packaging materials only because some minor components of the label do not comply with the new rules. Losses for business can be significant, but also unjustified because only a label is the question of concern which does not affect the safety and quality of the product itself. According to estimates of EBA member companies, the costs can reach several million hryvnias for individual companies. This creates unnecessary problems for businesses, which already have to work in difficult conditions due to the deteriorating economic situation in the country and arising pandemic challenges. Besides, under quarantine restrictions, companies faced the impossibility of adjusting production lines in a timely manner. Thus, it is problematic to check the correct setting of the criterion of the number of packaged goods in one package and its deviation from the nominal value, which is mandatory under the same Order of the Mineconomy. The companies reported that capacities located in other countries do not provide guarantees of arrival in Ukraine until the end of the transition period to check the operation of the equipment. Moreover, some food companies in Ukraine have imposed restrictions on the presence of outsiders at the plant during the quarantine period to ensure the safety of employees. Therefore, in the opinion of the business, it is necessary to begin work on updating the Order to harmonize the statutory requirements for the labeling of packaged food, as well as to extend the transition period until March 5, 2022.   Be the first to learn about the latest EBA news with our Telegram-channel – EBAUkraine.  

March 5, 2021, marks the end of the transition period established by the Mineconomy, during which food companies are required to apply information to the packaging of goods in a new format for applying. These are the requirements envisaged by the Order №969 of the Mineconomy of July 5, 2017.

Due to the fact that in 2020 the consumption of certain categories of food products decreased significantly and accordingly led to the fall in sales, the companies ended up stocking s significant number of packaging materials. Therefore, if the transition period is not extended, companies will have to write off large quantities of packaged food and packaging materials only because some minor components of the label do not comply with the new rules.

Losses for business can be significant, but also unjustified because only a label is the question of concern which does not affect the safety and quality of the product itself. According to estimates of EBA member companies, the costs can reach several million hryvnias for individual companies. This creates unnecessary problems for businesses, which already have to work in difficult conditions due to the deteriorating economic situation in the country and arising pandemic challenges.

Besides, under quarantine restrictions, companies faced the impossibility of adjusting production lines in a timely manner. Thus, it is problematic to check the correct setting of the criterion of the number of packaged goods in one package and its deviation from the nominal value, which is mandatory under the same Order of the Mineconomy. The companies reported that capacities located in other countries do not provide guarantees of arrival in Ukraine until the end of the transition period to check the operation of the equipment. Moreover, some food companies in Ukraine have imposed restrictions on the presence of outsiders at the plant during the quarantine period to ensure the safety of employees.

Therefore, in the opinion of the business, it is necessary to begin work on updating the Order to harmonize the statutory requirements for the labeling of packaged food, as well as to extend the transition period until March 5, 2022.

Be the first to learn about the latest EBA news with our Telegram-channel – EBAUkraine.