The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (Chamber) welcomes the adoption of Draft Law #5616 “On Peculiarities of Legal Protection of Geographical Indications for Agricultural and Food Products, Rights Protection and Application of Quality Schemes, Including Traditional Guaranteed Peculiarities for Agricultural and Food Products” (Draft Law) by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on September 6, 2022. The Chamber member companies’ experts have supported the adoption of this Draft Law, aimed at improving and further harmonizing the norms regarding geographical indications for agricultural and food products in accordance with EU legislation.
Among other things, the Draft Law extends the transitional period of the Law of Ukraine #2657-XII “On Information for Consumers regarding Food Products” (Law #2657-XII), allowing the use of packaging labeled in line with the legislation which was in force before the Law #2657-XII came into force, but which does not correspond to the requirements of the Law #2657-XII. Market operators are allowed to use the respective packaging for 6 months following the cancellation of the martial law.
We are grateful to MP Hanna Lichman, Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Development, Chair of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Policy, for prompt response to the business community’s proposals and introduction of the respective amendment to the Draft Law before the 2nd reading as well as to Chamber member companies’ experts for professional support and expertise.
