Requirements for milk and dairy products will change in Ukraine: new rules will come into force in 2029

Ukraine is preparing to introduce updated requirements for milk, dairy products and butter in accordance with European Union legislation. In addition, it is planned to establish new sanitary standards for the permissible level of radioactive contamination of food and feed. Ukraine has submitted the relevant draft regulations to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

What changes will be introduced for dairy products

Ukraine has notified the WTO of a draft order that provides for amendments to the requirements for milk, dairy products and spreadable fats, including spreads.

The document is registered under number G/SPS/N/UKR/281.

The new provisions should eliminate discrepancies between Ukrainian and European standards, in particular regarding the definition of butter and permissible deviations of the actual fat content from that declared by the manufacturer.

The European Union previously expressed its comments on Order No. 801, which Ukraine notified to the WTO in April 2026.

The European side drew attention to the fact that the Ukrainian definition of butter was stricter than the EU requirements. In addition, the wording regarding permissible deviations in fat content could be interpreted ambiguously.

What will change in the requirements for butter

The new version of the document provides for:

Harmonization of the definition of butter with EU Regulation No. 1308/2013.

Clarification of permissible deviations of the actual fat content from the declared one.

Establishment of such deviations in percentage points – ±1 and ±2.
Bringing national requirements for dairy products into line with European legislation.

It is expected that the updated provisions will enter into force on January 1, 2029 simultaneously with Order No. 801.

Thus, we are talking about planned regulatory changes, and not about the immediate introduction of new requirements for manufacturers.

Ukraine will also strengthen the regulation of radiation safety of products

A separate draft regulatory act concerns the establishment of maximum permissible levels of radioactive contamination of food products and feed.

The relevant notification was submitted to the WTO under number G/SPS/N/UKR/280.

The document provides for the definition of state medical and sanitary standards for products that have been or may potentially be subject to radioactive contamination as a result of a nuclear or radiation accident.

The new standards will apply to:

Food products.

Beverages.

Animal feed.

Imported products that may be contaminated as a result of a radiation accident.

The requirements are planned to be applied both to products manufactured or put into circulation in Ukraine, and to goods imported from countries where a nuclear or radiation accident occurred.

What the new rules mean for producers and consumers

The proposed changes are part of the process of harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with the regulatory framework of the European Union.

For dairy producers, this will mean the need to comply with updated requirements for the composition, definition and characteristics of certain types of products after the relevant standards come into force.

At the same time, new radiation control rules should determine the permissible levels of contamination of products and feed in the event of nuclear or radiation accidents.

It is important that we are talking about draft regulations at this time, and not about new restrictions already in force.

It is expected that the harmonization of Ukrainian standards with European ones will contribute to the unification of product requirements and the development of trade relations between Ukraine and the EU.