SSFSCP and BVL Strengthen Cooperation in the Field of Food Safety

According to the SSFSCP (State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection), the Ukrainian side was represented by the First Deputy Head of the Service, Oleh Osiian. Advisors to the Head of the SSFSCP, Oksana Osmachko and Solomiia Starosolska, also joined the negotiations.

From the German side, participants included representatives of BVL — the Federal Office responsible for coordinating decisions in the field of consumer protection and food safety. For Ukraine, the value of such dialogue lies in the opportunity to adopt not just individual approaches, but an integrated risk management model based on transparent procedures, data, and laboratory verification.

The main topic of the negotiations was strengthening Ukraine's food safety system at all stages of the chain, from production to consumption. The German side shared its experience with state control under the 'farm-to-fork' approach, where control is not fragmented but linked into a unified risk management logic.

In practical terms, the discussions covered:

• crisis response in the field of food safety;
• rapid risk notification;
• control of online food trade;
• consistency of approaches between control and laboratory units.

This set of topics demonstrates that the focus was on systemic solutions. It is not about 'individual inspections' but about a comprehensive decision-making infrastructure where data, control, and laboratory verification work in sync.

The meeting also specifically examined BVL's role as a coordination center that integrates control, analytical, and laboratory functions. For the Ukrainian context, this is particularly important because a modern safety model requires not only a regulatory framework but also institutional coherence.

In essence, the discussion addressed how to:

1. reduce the gap between data and management decisions;
2. accelerate incident response;
3. ensure comparability of laboratory results;
4. maintain uniform research standards.

The SSFSCP's communication also emphasized approaches to analytics and reporting, as well as inter-laboratory proficiency testing. This is a critical element of trust: if results are reproducible and verifiable, the control system becomes more transparent for businesses, consumers, and international partners.

A key topic of the negotiations was joint initiatives aimed at transforming institutional contacts into working projects. The official announcement explicitly states that the parties are considering four core areas:

• methodological support;
• digitalization of state registers and data exchange systems;
• modernization of the laboratory base;
• systematic training of specialists.

Together, these areas form the backbone of a modern food safety system. Methodology sets the rules, digitalization provides speed and transparency, laboratories ensure evidence-based verification, and training sustains results in day-to-day operations.

In his comments, Oleh Osiian emphasized that the proposed areas of cooperation align with the recommendations of the European Commission and Ukraine's priorities within the European integration process. This aspect has practical significance: approximation to EU standards in the field of food safety is not a separate policy but part of the overall integration architecture.

Particular attention in the statement was given to three blocks:

• strengthening laboratory capacity;
• developing risk-based state control;
• implementing modern digital solutions.

For businesses, this signals that the regulatory environment model in Ukraine will move toward greater predictability and evidence-based decision-making. For government agencies, it provides guidance toward integrated risk management where every decision is backed by data, procedures, and verification.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to transition from exchanging ideas to practical implementation. This point is the most important outcome of the news, as it marks a shift in the cooperation format: from consultative to implementation-oriented.

In practical terms, this could mean launching coordinated work streams:

• aligning roadmaps between institutions;
• standardizing approaches to data and reporting;
• planning laboratory infrastructure upgrades;
• deploying training modules for specialists.

These are exactly the steps that typically create long-term impact for a state control system: reducing chaotic responses, improving decision quality, and building greater trust in inspection outcomes.

For food market operators, this news is not merely an 'internal affair of government agencies.' It directly indicates the future direction of system development, to which businesses should adapt now.

Key takeaways for companies:

1. Data and traceability are becoming even more important for passing inspections.
2. Laboratory evidence and reproducibility of results will carry greater weight.
3. A risk-based approach will gradually replace the formal 'checklist' format.
4. Online sales channels will remain a focus of state oversight.
5. Speed of risk communication will be critical for incident prevention.

Companies operating in both domestic and international markets should strengthen their internal procedures precisely in these areas. This reduces regulatory risks and improves the resilience of business processes.

Given the content of the meeting, a logical continuation of the cooperation could involve joint technical initiatives — from exchanging methodologies to practical projects in digital solutions and laboratory coordination. The official announcement already establishes the key point: the direction has been set, and it is aimed at a modern, efficient, and transparent food safety system compatible with European approaches.

For Ukraine, this is not only about harmonization with external requirements but also about improving consumer protection within the country today. When the control system operates in a coordinated manner, all parties benefit: the state, the market, and citizens.

The news about strengthened cooperation between the SSFSCP and BVL marks an important institutional step in the development of Ukraine's food safety system. The parties outlined specific areas that have a direct impact on outcomes: methodology, digitalization, laboratories, and training.

In the context of European integration, this creates a practical framework for further decisions and increases predictability for the market. For businesses, the key signal is clear: requirements for transparency, evidence-based practices, and risk-based management will intensify, and preparation for such an environment needs to begin now.