Ukraine–EU Membership Talks: Legislative Screening on Energy Efficiency Begins
The final stage of the screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with the EU acquis under Cluster 4: "Green Deal and Sustainable Connectivity" has taken place in Brussels.
During the screening held on July 8–9, the Ukrainian delegation presented the country's progress in the following areas:
- Energy efficiency;
- Energy labeling and ecodesign;
- Energy performance of buildings;
- Renewable energy sources;
- Energy markets and more.
The delegation included Andrii Shyyan, Head of the Energy Efficiency Development Department at the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE), who outlined Ukraine’s achievements, particularly in energy labeling and ecodesign.
Shyyan emphasized that Ukraine has already implemented approximately 90% of EU directives in the field of ecodesign and energy labeling:
“In Ukraine, ecodesign technical regulations are developed by SAEE and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers based on submissions from the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development.
For energy labeling, SAEE is also responsible for drafting technical regulations, while the relevant ministry ensures their formal approval.
This approach enables a comprehensive and consistent transposition of EU requirements into national legislation,” he noted.
Andrii Shyyan also reported that 37 ecodesign technical regulations have been approved in Ukraine based on EU legal acts. Four more require updates, and one regulation still needs full implementation of EU standards.
In the energy labeling sector, Ukraine has already adopted 20 technical regulations aligned with EU legislation. One additional regulation is expected to be approved soon. Meanwhile, one document requires an update, and another needs full implementation.
The European Commission positively assessed SAEE’s efforts in advancing energy efficiency policy. Officials particularly highlighted Ukraine’s clear and measurable progress in implementing EU directives on energy labeling and ecodesign.
Among the key initiatives highlighted by the European Commission:
Introducing liability for tire energy labeling;
Providing Ukraine with early access to the EU Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL).
This access will allow Ukrainian suppliers to timely register products, faster align with EU requirements, and enable market surveillance authorities to properly enforce compliance.
The screening process is a critical phase in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. The Ukrainian side presented the current state of legislative adaptation, identified ongoing challenges in implementing EU norms, and requested continued technical and expert support from the European Union.
Considering Ukraine’s strategic goal of integration into the EU’s Internal Energy Market, the Ukrainian delegation stressed the importance of strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, including Ukraine’s involvement as an observer in relevant EU working groups responsible for developing legislation and technical standards in energy, energy efficiency, ecodesign, and energy labeling.
