Good day! Here is a brief overview of the Procedure for Classifying Drinking Water as “Natural Mineral Water.”
1. **Essence of the Law:** This Procedure determines exactly how the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Ukraine decides whether drinking water can be classified as “natural mineral water.” It establishes clear rules and procedures for market operators who want their water to obtain such status.
2. **Structure and Main Provisions:**
* The Procedure consists of several sections that define the scope, terms, criteria for classifying water as “natural mineral,” as well as the application procedure and required documents.
* It defines which waters are not covered by this Procedure (e.g., medicinal products or waters consumed directly at the extraction site).
* The definition of “authorized expert institutions” that will evaluate documents and provide expert reports for the MOH is important.
* The Procedure also establishes requirements for the application that the market operator submits to the MOH and a list of documents that must be attached to the application.
* It defines the terms for reviewing the application and the procedure for making a decision by the MOH.
3. **Key Provisions for Use:**
* It is important for market operators to know the criteria that water must meet to be classified as “natural mineral.” These criteria are approved by the MOH.
* It is necessary to carefully prepare a package of documents, including research results, a description of the water source, and information on geological surveys.
* It is important to pay attention to the terms for submitting and reviewing the application, as well as the grounds for refusing to classify water into the appropriate category.
* The Procedure also regulates the activities of authorized expert institutions, defining the criteria for their designation and the grounds for revocation of powers.
* This procedure relates to food safety.