Free Movement of Goods: Monitoring and Evaluation of the Implementation of the Agreement «On Association Between Ukraine and the EU

Abstract. The article analyses and assesses the current state of Ukraine's implementation of the EU acquis under the Association Agreement in the sector ‘Trade and Trade-related Matters’ on free movement of goods. The legislative and institutional framework for free movement of goods, albeit partially, already exists, in particular for the sectors that the ACAA may cover, thanks to the DCFTA commitments. Currently, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is considering several draft laws on state market surveillance and standardisation to enable Ukraine to become a full member of the EU customs union in the near future. It is noted that the rapid elimination of systemic problems and further adoption of horizontal and vertical legislation of Ukraine harmonised with the EU law on free movement of goods will allow to move the issue of signing the Agreement on Joint Recognition of Certificates of Conformity for Industrial Products by Ukraine and the European Union (ACAA) into the practical plane. Monitoring of the fulfilment of obligations in this area made it possible to conclude that the level of preparation for bringing domestic trade legislation in key sectors in line with the European acquis communautaireis average . The articleidentifies the measures used to formulate and implement the policy of free movement of goods to ensure the fulfilment of Ukraine's obligations under the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. It is concluded that our country demonstrates a moderate level of preparation in the field of free movement of goods, which, on the basis of common rules and procedures, guarantees the possibility of free trade in goods to the Common Market member states in the European Union. At the same time, Ukraine still needs to analyse its legislation, especially in terms of its practical application in this area, and do its homework, in particular, on technical regulations, standards, conformity assessment, accreditation, metrology and market surveillance. Keywords: free movement of goods; Association Agreement; ACAA Agreement; EU acquis; EU internal market; Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA); customs union.