The conclusion of the ACAA Agreement will give an additional impetus to the development of Ukraine’s economy and will help attract Ukrainian businesses to European value chains and further economic integration of the Ukrainian economy into the European market. This was discussed at the International Forum “АCАА in the System of Recovery and Development of Economy of Ukraine” held on October 13, 2023.
Event was organised at the initiative of the Technical Regulation Department of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine within the framework of the International cooperation project ReACT4UA funded by the German Government and supported by the German federal company Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Non-governmental union “Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine”. The Forum was attended by representatives of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, European and International organizations, the National Standardization Body, the National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine, state-owned enterprises operating in the field of technical regulation, standardization, metrology, conformity assessment and accreditation, manufacturers and businesses interested in the production and export of industrial products in Ukraine.
“As we prepare to overcome the challenges of the war and to build and restore Ukraine’s economy in the post-war period, we must consolidate our efforts to increase exports for Ukraine’s future economic growth. New opportunities are opened up by Ukraine’s application for accession to the EU. As part of the export direction, we should use such opportunities and tools as promotion of Ukrainian goods and services abroad, development of export competencies of Ukrainian business, research of foreign markets, organization of participation of Ukrainian exporters in international events,” – said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Vitaliy Kindrativ.
During the Forum, it was noted that Ukraine has come a long way in preparation for the ACAA Agreement and has taken a number of significant steps, including the adoption of basic laws, technical regulations based on EU legislation, European standards, institutional reforms, etc.
This allowed the EU to launch a pre-assessment mission in October 2020 on the state of readiness of Ukraine’s quality infrastructure for the ACAA Agreement, which was completed in July 2023.
The pre-assessment mission evaluated the implementation measures taken by the Ukrainian side, namely: the state of adaptation of horizontal and sectoral legislation to the EU legislation; standardization, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance systems; spheres of machinery, electromagnetic compatibility of equipment and low-voltage electrical equipment.
The assessment results show progress in approximating Ukraine’s legislation on the national quality infrastructure and legislation on industrial products to the EU acquis.
At the same time, the Ukrainian side still needs to complete its “homework” to take into account the recommendations provided by the experts.
However, we need the EU’s support to move to the next stage of preparations for the “industrial visa-free” and its conclusion, as it is a unique tool for overcoming technical barriers to trade that is beneficial to both sides and is needed by business.
“It was an actual and useful event that allowed us to synchronize our watches with our European partners and understand more clearly the next steps we will take together. It is important that during the Forum we not only heard positive assessments of what has already been done, but also saw the willingness of our partners to help Ukraine continue to move towards approximation of national norms and rules to the European ones. Our goal is to introduce an “industrial visa-free” with the European Union and we are moving towards it. It is also important that the participation of European business and European partners in the Forum provided a platform for communication and establishing mutually beneficial relations. An open discussion allowed domestic entrepreneurs to more clearly assess the risks and benefits of the “industrial visa-free” and get guidance for further work,” – summarized Vitaliy Kindrativ the results of the International Forum.
The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine expressed its sincere gratitude to the European side for the opportunity to conduct and complete the assessment process during the difficult period of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
