REQUIREMENTS OF UKRAINIAN AND EU LEGISLATION ON WATER AND WASTEWATER IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Abstract

Food processing enterprises are characterized by significant water consumption and, consequently, the generation of substantial volumes of industrial wastewater. In Ukraine, the legal governance of water use and wastewater management - collectively termed "water relations" - is subject to both water and environmental legislation. Within the strategic context of Ukraine's integration into the EU, it is imperative to evaluate the convergence of the national regulatory framework with EU directives. This involves examining specific legal nuances, the clarity of control mechanisms, and the efficacy of the sanctions regime. This article provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of Ukrainian and EU legislative requirements concerning the safety and quality of drinking water, alongside the specific regulations governing water utilization within the food industry. The findings indicate that while primary Ukrainian regulatory acts have been largely harmonized with EU standards, secondary legislation remains under systematic revision. The study underscores the necessity of implementing a risk-based approach across the regulatory spectrum. Currently, the paramount challenge lies in the effective practical execution of these harmonized regulations and ensuring corporate compliance with the newly approved standards. The second part of the research analyzes Ukrainian and EU standards regarding industrial wastewater discharge from food processing facilities. The analysis reveals that while legal harmonization in the wastewater sector has achieved a high degree of maturity - evidenced by the adoption of specialized laws on wastewater, comprehensive bylaws, and legislation on integrated environmental permits - practical implementation faces significant impediments. Factors such as outdated infrastructure, the ongoing impact of the war, insufficient capital investment, and inadequate monitoring systems continue to hinder the achievement of the environmental benchmarks mandated by the EU acquis.