Ýêîíîìè÷åñêèå
íàóêè / 12. Ýêîíîìèêà ÀÏÊ
Chudovskaya V.
The Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management, Ukraine
THE LABELING OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS IN UKRAINE
Currently, the safety of food products and
manufacturing process is becoming extremely significant in the food market
functioning, because these aspects play the main role in consumers’ purchase
decision of finished products.
Considering the researches in this area we
should take into account scientific works of W. Artysh, O. Borodin,
N. Golovchenko, T. Zaychuk, N. Zinovchuk, O. Nykytiuk,
A. Rudnytska, O. Shkuratov. However, this issue requires further
research, since the labeling is one of the main aspects in the foundation and
development of organic production in Ukraine, especially when this type of
management lacks of regulation policy.
The labeling is any written, printed or
graphic material, which can be observed on the label. It accompanies or can be
exposed beside the food product for the purposes of promoting its sale or
realization [1, p. 27].
Each quality standard has its own labeling
signs which are placed at the package of finished products in order to help
consumers navigate the list of goods and distinguish organic products among
other. Thus, labeling is a kind of calling card of producers and gives it a
much broader capabilities both in domestic and foreign markets for organic
production.
In 2011, Technical Regulation on labeling
of food products came into force, which was developed with the requirements of
the Ukraine’s Laws: "On the safety and quality of food",
"Consumers Protection", "On baby food"; Directives of the
European Parliament and of the Council on March 20, 2000 ¹ 2000/13/EU On
the approximation of the laws of the member States relating to the labeling ,
presentation and advertising of foodstuffs and Commission’s Directives of
January 30, 2008 ¹ 2008/5/EU On the mandatory indication at a label of
some food a detailed information except that one which provided by Directive
¹ 2000/13/EU [2, p. 64]. Also, Ukraine has a National Standard SSTU
4518:2008 "Food products. Labeling for consumers. General rules." In
addition, in 2004, during the official annual meeting of the Global Network of
environmental labeling, in Japan, national program of environmental labeling
was represented to the international community, which acts by voluntary
certification according to ISO 14024.
Organic products were certified by LLC
"Organic Standard", labeled by the first Ukrainian logo "BIOLan
Ukraine organic products". In general, the products may contain a mark on
their certification if they are produced and certified according to
requirements of organic production. The logo has to identify the name and
number of the certification company. In addition there has to be indicated
organic production method and the following references:
designation "organically produced
product", which is used for labeling of organic products (logo
"Organic product");
designation "product was manufactured
in the transition period to organic production", which is used for
labeling of crop transition, with the exception of products, which were
produced during the first year of the transition period (logo "Product of
transition period to organic production").
Labeling of certified products must
include the following information: manufacturer's name, address, number of
certification and the name or number of the certification company, which issued
the certificate. Also it has to correspond to rules and legislation of Ukraine.
Labeling samples must be approved by the organization of certification [3].
The need for such labeling is caused by
the fact that today's food products often found designations:
"eco-friendly", "bio", "organic",
"natural", so they are perceived by consumers as organic, but do not
actually have any reason, because they do not have the appropriate certificate
and marking of the proper logo and certification number.
Thus, the labeling should be regarded as
the main tool to influence consumers’ confidence in organic agricultural
products. Proven, well-tested, announced labeling system will promote to form a
positive image of the brand of organic production.
References:
1. Nykytiuk
O. Certification and standardization of products of organic farming / O.
Nykytsuk // Agroecological magazine. - 2009. - ¹ 2. - P. 26-31/
2. Organic
farming and its development in cooperation / [N. Zinovchuk ,
V. Zinovchuk, O. Skydan etc.], Ed. N. Zinovchuk. – Zhytomyr:
"Ruta", 2011 . - 160 p.
3. Standards
of organic agricultural production and labeling of agricultural and food
products "BIOLan" of 26.09.2006 / developed by S. Gorban,
B. Dihtyaruk, V. Henovskyi etc. / International public organization
"Association of Bioproduction "BIOLan Ukraine", 2006 - 75 p. - [
Electronic resource] - Access mode: http://www.organicstandard.com.ua/