Abstract
As is well known, the ‘green’ segment of the world economy accounts for less than 2 %; and in post-Soviet countries its share is a mere fraction of 1 % (SP Ecological Union 2012). In this regard, great expectations are placed on voluntary eco-certification, which should become an instrument for harmonising business interests with sustainable development targets, i.e. by promoting the economic growth while raising the level of environmental safety and improving the state of the environment (Darnall and Sides 2008).
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Notes
- 1.
The new regulatory Framework (often referred to as the New Legislative Framework—NLF) is a recent effort to strengthen the effectiveness of the EU’s legislation on product safety, its implementation mechanisms, and ensure a greater consistency throughout all the different economic sectors (EC 2010). The NLF is formed by two distinct regulations: Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the Parliament and the Council setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products (OJEU L 218/30 of 13.8.2008), and Decision No. 768/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on a common framework for the marketing of products (OJEU L 218/82 of 13.8.2008). Based on principles of proportionality and effectiveness, the NLW provides for a set of common conformity assessment procedures for products, referred to as ‘Modules’. The conformity assessment procedures are divided into eight basic modules (A–H), ranging from a manufacturer’s self-declaration without reference to any independent third-party (Module A) through to full quality assurance leading to the issuing of a certificate of conformity (Modules F and G) (Ecorys 2011, pp. 151–156).
- 2.
DSTU is the anglicised acronym for the State standards of Ukraine (DSTU—“derzhavni standarty Ukrainy”).
- 3.
The List is approved by the Order of the State Committee of Ukraine on Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy No 28 of 01.02.2005, last amended on 29.12.2012. The State Committee of Ukraine on Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy was abolished in 2011; its functions were succeeded by the State Inspectorate of Ukraine on the Protection of Consumer Rights and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine. The List is now amended by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
- 4.
The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine was formed in 2011 by the Order of the President of Ukraine No 634/2011 of 31.05.2011. It is a legal successor of a number of functions previously fulfilled by other ministries and government bodies, including: Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Industrial Policy, State Committee of Ukraine on Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship, State Service on Technical Regulation.
- 5.
See Palekhov et al. (2008) for the detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses in Ukrainian practice of environmental regulation (i.e. setting environmental standards and thresholds) in the context of applying environmental assessment procedures.
- 6.
In its turn, the state standard DSTU ISO 14024:2002 was adopted as a harmonised ISO 14024:1999 standard, which provides guidance on developing programmes that verify the environmental attributes of a product via a seal or a label, i.e. specify the procedures and principles that third-party certifiers, or eco-labelers, must follow (Green Seal 2013; IISD 2013).
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Palekhov, D., Schmidt, M. (2014). Voluntary Environmental Certification in Ukraine: Experience and Issues. In: Schmitz-Hoffmann, C., Schmidt, M., Hansmann, B., Palekhov, D. (eds) Voluntary Standard Systems. Natural Resource Management in Transition, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35716-9_18
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