A new level of safety and quality. Gosstandart on innovations in technical regulation and standardization of the food industry

On July 25, 2023, amendments to the technical regulation of the Customs Union "On food safety" (TR CU 021/2011) will come into force, which establish uniform requirements for chocolate and chocolate products. They were initiated and developed by the Republic of Belarus to identify these products, provide consumers with reliable information about their properties, improve quality and promote fair competition. Elena Morgunova, First Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization, spoke about innovations in the field of technical regulation and standardization of the food industry, the prerequisites for developing changes for chocolate and their main provisions, BelTA has learned.

"In Belarus, chocolate, chocolate sweets are basically centuries -old traditions. This is already a brand of the country. Belarusian chocolate is distinguished by high quality and a variety of assortment. Currently, the consumer has the opportunity to choose various variations of chocolate - from classical bitter to MILK, extramolo, with exotic combinations of fruits, nuts and other various fillers," said Elena Morgunova. - Our manufacturers do not stand still, constantly introduce something new, keep up with the times, releasing high -quality, safe and competitive products. "

According to the First Deputy Chairman, the basis of the current model of technical regulation, according to which the real sector operates and access of products to the market, is made up of mandatory technical regulations and voluntary standards that help to implement their requirements. This approach is in line with international practice and ensures the circulation of safe products in the absence of unreasonable technical barriers to trade both within the country and within the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ).

"As part of the union, 52 unified technical regulations have been adopted for various types of products, 47 of which have come into force. Almost a third of this number (13 of those adopted) concerns the food industry. These include three general technical regulations (safety, labeling of food products and food additives) that apply to all food products, and 10 - to certain types (grain, juice, oil and fat products, milk, MEAT, fish, drinking and mineral water, etc.)", - said and Elena Morgunova .

She noted that the technical regulations ensure the safety of food products circulating in the markets and confirm the high economic and social importance of such products, and also give the status of Belarus as the most important object of technical regulation in the agricultural sector.

To implement all the adopted regulations, lists of standards have been approved, including more than 12 thousand positions, of which more than 7 thousand are interstate standards (GOST), more than 3 thousand standards are harmonized with international requirements. These lists are not closed.

In Belarus, food products are subject to 2,688 GOSTs (interstate standards) and 456 STBs (state standards).

"Technical regulations are living documents that are constantly updated. So, now 10 regulations are being developed, as well as 32 changes to the adopted regulations. Of these, in the food industry - 14 changes to 8 technical regulations," Elena Morgunova added.

As an example of the work already done, she cited the entry into force on July 25, 2023 of amendments to the technical regulation of the Customs Union "On food safety" (TR CU 021/2011) in terms of certain requirements and identification features for chocolate, chocolate products, chocolate icing, chocolate mass and cocoa products. These changes were approved by the decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated November 25, 2022 No. 173.

Their development was initiated by the concern "Belgospischeprom", supported by the State Standard, carried out by the Scientific and Practical Center for Food of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. "It was a very dense, long-term workto accept the change. This was done so that all requirements for chocolate and chocolate products are the same within the EAEU countries, as well as to remove unfair competition and correctly identify products that are on the market and not mislead consumers,” she stressed. “The agreed approaches adopted will allow resolving issues that previously arose due to the difference in requirements established in the member states of the Union, both for chocolate and chocolate products, and for control methods, and will also contribute to the production of high-quality products, the provision of reliable information to consumers and the development of fair competition.”

A transitional period of 24 months is provided for the transition to the new requirements. At the same time, the circulation of food products released for sale within the framework of the transition period is allowed within the expiration date established by its manufacturer.

"Until 2025, countries will have to develop GOST for terms and definitions in the field of confectionery and semi-finished confectionery products, revise GOST for chocolate and chocolate, confectionery and fat coatings and molding masses, and also amend GOST for cocoa powder. The development and application of modern interstate standards will help harmonize technical requirements for chocolate, chocolate coating, chocolate products, chocolate mass and cocoa products put into circulation on the territory of the EAEU, and will ensure the implementation of the changes in full," the First Deputy Chairman explained.

“It should be noted the scale of the work carried out on the Eurasian site to improve the requirements for food products. Our industry and business need to be aware of this activity, not just monitor, but participate in it, promoting our national interests, setting the bar for safety and quality of products circulated on the market. An example of such effective participation can be the establishment of separate requirements for chocolate and chocolate products. I would like the Belarusian industry and business to have much more similar examples, both in terms of technical regulations and standards,” Elena Morgunova focused her attention .

In her opinion, active cooperation in the field of standardization is very important for building up the mutual production and technological potential of Belarus and the Russian Federation. As part of INNOPROM-2023, the first joint round table of the technical committees for standardization of the two countries was held, where specialists exchanged experience, suggestions, and discussed problematic issues. The practice of round tables will be continued.

BELTA.

Photo by Kristina Aksyonova