Ukraine needs to adopt 643 int'l environmental protection standards - ministry

MOSCOW. Nov 7 (Interfax) - Ukraine needs to adopt 643 European and international environmental protection standards with the assistance of the OSCE Support Program for Ukraine, the Ukrainian Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ministry said.

"Lists of European and international standards requiring adoption in Ukraine have been compiled for the implementation of standardized methods of monitoring and control and equipping the relevant laboratories of the State Environmental Inspectorate. The total number of standards to be adopted stands at 643," Ukrainian media said, quoting the ministry's statement on a social network.

Ukraine received the status of an affiliate CEN-CENELEC member in November 2022. The status took effect on January 1, 2023. It is granted to any national standardization organization of a country officially recognized as a candidate or potential candidate for EU membership, to facilitate the harmonization of the national standards of the EU candidate state with European standards. Given this status, Ukraine is obliged to adopt European standards (EN, EN ISO), as well as to eliminate discrepancies between national standards and EU standards.

Studies of European, international and national environmental monitoring standards have been conducted as part of the project, at the request of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Ministry. The study revealed a low level of harmonization of the national system of environmental protection and ecological safety standards with the relevant international and European regulations.

Lists of European and international standards requiring adoption in Ukraine were compiled on the basis of the study results. The ministry said that the process of their implementation requires a systematic approach.