The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has made a decision on the digitalisation of phytosanitary services. The relevant Resolution No. 1229 was adopted at a regular meeting.

The Resolution is aimed at:

• Digitalisation of services in the field of plant quarantine. It regulates the functioning of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection’s information (automated) system Phytosanitary Inspection System (PHIS). The Resolution provides for the possibility of creating personal accounts for PHIS users to submit and process documents in the field of plant quarantine and protection in electronic form, as well as the introduction of QR codes on quarantine and phytosanitary certificates, which reduces the risk of abuse.
• Facilitation of international trade. The Resolution envisages the introduction of the exchange of electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) between Ukraine and other countries through the international ePhyto HUB system, which operates under the International Plant Protection Convention. This will allow for faster and safer import and export of goods containing plants and plant products, making international trade easier and cheaper.
• Improvement of phytosanitary procedures. The new rules provide for the optimisation of phytosanitary procedures in line with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On Administrative Procedure”, including updating the application forms and certificates in the field of plant quarantine in line with the requirements of EU legislation and international standards. These changes will help protect the rights and legitimate interests of citizens in their relations with the state.

The Resolution shall enter into force 3 months after its publication.