New Rules for Production, Labeling and Circulation of Organic Products

Abstract

The article highlights the main provisions of the law «On the basic principles and requirements for organic production, circulation, and labeling of organic products» in Ukraine. The author substantiates the requirements for production, production control (certification), and defines the responsibilities for noncompliance with the requirements. The requirements for the most common types of labeling «bio», «eco», «organic» are described. The emphasis is laid on the benefits of meeting the high standards of the organic product quality, which is a ground for the introduction of the world trends regarding the circulation of organic products and active support of it at the legislative level in Ukraine. The new law not only raises the standards of production of organic products, which is a positive phenomenon, but also increases the burden on the national producer. The results of the study show that compliance with the Law of Ukraine « On Basic Principles and Requirements for Organic Production, Circulation, and Labeling of Organic Products» extends the target market for agricultural products to the producer and simplifies the procedures for its export to other countries. The growing level of hygienic requirements and food safety standards on the world market necessitates the introduction of world standards for the circulation of organic products at the legislative level in Ukraine. The introduction in Ukraine of registers operators, certification bodies, organic seeds and planting material will allow citizens, market participants of organic products, market participants, other interested parties to receive up-to-date, verified information about organic market operators, certification bodies eligible for certification of organic production or circulation of organic products, as well as the availability on the market of Ukraine of organic seeds and planting material.