Due to the decline in consumption of certain categories of food products and, accordingly, their sales in 2020, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber member companies’ experts informed about the accumulation of significant stocks of food and packaging materials to be sold before the end of the transition period of Order #969 – by March 5, 2021.
Given the above, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine addressed the Ministry of Justice regarding the registration of Draft Order of the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture #462 amending Order #969 regarding establishment of metrological requirements for packaged goods.
On March 30, 2021, Order of the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture #462 (dated March 5, 2021) amending Order #969 regarding the establishment of metrological requirements for packaged goods entered into force.
According to the provisions of Order#462, packaged goods that were put into circulation no later than five years from the date of entry of Order #969 into force and do not meet the requirements of paragraph 1 of Order #969, may be placed on the market before their expiration date.
This change allows food business operators to avoid economic damages without negative impact to food safety or consumer awareness regarding characteristics of food.
We are grateful to the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture, and the Ministry of Justice for the prompt and constructive consideration and resolution of this issue.