Ukraine brings geographical indication standards for food and beverages closer to EU standards

Ukraine continues to bring geographical indication standards for food, alcoholic beverages, wines, and wine-based flavored products closer to EU standards, and these changes are already noticeable in practice. These issues were discussed during the 9th meeting of the Ukraine-EU Subcommittee on Geographical Indications, which was attended by Taras Vysotskyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of legislation and policies in this area, the application and protection of geographical indications, as well as further joint steps by Ukraine and the EU.

The Ukrainian side presented not only updates to the rules, but also concrete results of their implementation. Today, Ukraine has already established a legislative framework for the protection of geographical indications in the areas of food products, agricultural products, wines, and spirits. At the same time, the sub-legislative mechanisms necessary for the full functioning of this system are being finalized.

"Geographical indications for Ukraine are not a formality, but a tool for development. They make it possible to protect unique Ukrainian products, develop strong regional brands, and open the way for them to the European market. The essence of these changes lies in clear rules that work for producers, strengthen consumer confidence in products, and help consumers better understand the market," stressed Taras Vysotskyi.

Manufacturers have already begun reviewing their approaches to many sensitive geographical indications. For example, they are moving away from the name “Feta” cheese and switching to new commercial designations. This clearly shows that the Ukrainian market is harmonizing its rules with European norms.

It was also noted that certain products with old labeling may still remain on sale, but this only applies to remaining stock produced before January 1, 2026. In such cases, special labeling indicating the date of production is required, and the circulation of such products is monitored by authorized state bodies.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to the tools that are supposed to ensure the functioning of the geographical indication system in practice. As Taras Vysotskyi noted, Ukraine has already created mechanisms for the registration, use, and control of such indications, and a system for certification and support of producers is being developed. The Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture has set up an expert commission to approve product specifications, which determine the uniqueness of a product, its connection to the territory, and its right to a geographical indication. At the same time, this system is already opening up new opportunities for regional producers: one example is the development of products with the geographical indication “Med Zakarpattia” (Honey of Zakarpattia). Work is also continuing on new products in the regions, particularly in Zakarpattia and Odesa regions.

The 9th meeting of the Subcommittee confirmed that geographical indications for Ukraine are not a narrow technical issue, but a practical tool for the development of regional producers, the protection of unique Ukrainian products, and another step towards the European market.