Parliament approved a law on «industrial visa-free trade» with the EU for Ukrainian goods

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted, in its second reading, a European integration law on harmonizing the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies and the technical regulation system with EU requirements (Reg. No. 12221). This was reported by the Ministry of Economy.

The document, developed by the Ministry of Economy in close cooperation with businesses, industry associations, experts, and international partners, is an important step toward concluding the ACAA Agreement (Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products)—the “industrial visa-free regime.”

“The adoption of this law brings us closer to the ACTA or ‘industrial visa-free regime’ between Ukraine and the European Union. Once it is signed, our manufacturers will be able to operate in the European market with certificates issued in Ukraine and will not have to spend time and money on recertification abroad. This will significantly simplify access for Ukrainian products to the EU internal market and open up new opportunities for business,” noted Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev.

As noted, the law implements Regulation (EU) No. 765 and Decision No. 768 into Ukrainian legislation.

It provides for the following:

• Mutual recognition of accreditation between Ukraine and the EU. Ukraine will recognize accreditation results issued by EU member states’ bodies if they have successfully passed a mutual evaluation. If a Ukrainian manufacturer applies EU standards that are identical to harmonized European standards, its products will be considered compliant.
• Cross-border accreditation. Conditions have been established under which Ukraine’s National Accreditation Body may accredit bodies within the EU and vice versa.
• Obligation of courts and public authorities to consider decisions of the Court of Justice of the EU and the practice of the European
• Commission as a source of national law when adjudicating cases in the field of accreditation.
• Balanced representation on the Accreditation Council.

The law also increases business liability for the accuracy of product information and establishes a framework for cooperation with the European Commission and EU member states’ authorities under the ACAA Agreement.

Most of these changes will take effect simultaneously with the entry into force of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products.

“The adoption of these legislative changes will promote the production of Ukrainian goods in accordance with European safety standards, improve product quality in the domestic market, and expand opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers to enter the EU market,” the Verkhovna Rada stated in its announcement.

As a reminder, exports of rolled steel products from Ukraine to the EU in 2025 amounted to 2.65 million tons.