Ukraine is Switching to the EU Food Certification System, Confiscation of Frozen Russian Assets

Ukraine is Switching to the European Food Certification System: What is Provided?

According to the information from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, starting from 15 January 2024, Ukraine is planning to use the European Commission’s platform for certification and support of export/import/transit of animals, animal and plant products, food and feed (TRACES NT) for certification of goods.

It is expected that this will significantly simplify the formal procedures for the export and transit of food products from Ukraine to the EU when crossing the state border.

The scope of food products to be certified using the TRACES NT platform is determined by the forms of certificates adapted and integrated into the system.

At present, such certification is already provided for eggs and egg products, dairy products, fresh meat and fish, semi-finished meat products, and bee products.

In the process of adapting and implementing certificate forms in TRACES NT, this list will be expanded.

This implementation is another step on our country’s path to the EU!

Special Requirements for Plastic Items in Contact with Foodstuffs Approved

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine by its Order No. 2104 dated 11 December 2023 approved the Special Requirements for Plastic Materials and Items Intended to Come into Contact with Food.

Thus, according to the Order, only substances included in the list of permitted substances set out in these Requirements or substances included in the state register of substances permitted for use in production may be used in the production of materials and items intended for contact with food.

At the same time, products made of plastic materials and items intended for contact with foodstuffs manufactured before the entry into force of this Order may be in circulation until their expiry date.

This Order will come into force simultaneously with the entry into force of the Law “On Materials and Objects Intended for Food Contact”, i.e. on 19 November 2025.

“Law on New Rules of Mobilization” is Returned to the Cabinet of Ministers for Revision

On 11 January 2024, the Verkhovna Rada returned Draft Law No. 10378 dated 25 December 2023, which provided for fundamental changes to Ukrainian legislation on mobilization, to the Cabinet of Ministers for revision.

The Draft Law was returned for revision after a meeting with the military command and a closed-door meeting of the Conciliation Board.

US Presidential Administration Supports Confiscation of Frozen Russian Assets

The US Presidential Administration supports the draft law on the confiscation of about USD 300 billions of frozen Russian assets and their transfer to Ukraine’s recovery.

“Adoption of the relevant provisions of the legislation will send a powerful signal to the EU and the US G7 allies to confiscate Russia’s immobilized assets, which is approximately $300 billion seized in the EU and G7 countries”, the Ministry of Justice said in a statement.