THE PROJECT

The project aims to align Ukraine’s national Quality Infrastructure (QI) with the requirements of the EU acquis under Chapter 1 – Free Movement of Goods- , thereby enabling the gradual integration into the EU Single Market. Focus is placed on institutional, technical, and procedural preconditions necessary for the future conclusion of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA).

The project builds on the effects of previous bilateral and regional projectsto pursue a comprehensive capacity development strategy across individual, organizational, and societal levels. Despite significant legislative approximation to EU rules, practical implementation remains uneven, leaving key QI institutions with insufficient calibration capabilities, fragmented metrology structures, and inadequate support for emerging sectors like photovoltaics and energy storage. Consequently, Ukrainian companies lack access to essential services needed to meet market requirements cost-effectively. To address these constraints, the project employs a multi-level approach combining technical upgrading, institutional strengthening, and sector-specific application. First, it strengthens designated metrology institutes and regional centers to improve traceability chains, develop new Calibration and Measurement Capabilities, and harmonize practices with EURAMET and BIPM frameworks (Output 1). Second, it supports the National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine (NAAU) in aligning procedures with EA requirements and expanding scopes for priority sectors to ensure international recognition (Output 2). Finally, the initiative pilots the application of these services in the photovoltaics sector by mapping QI service needs along the value chain and establishing initial testing capacities. Through enhanced cooperation between laboratories, regulators, operators and industry, the project ensures compliance with EU and international technical and safety standards (Output 3).

At the individual level, technical experts, assessors, and institutional managers acquire competencies required for operating within European metrology, accreditation, and conformity-assessment systems.

At the organizational level, partner institutions modernize procedures, extend service portfolios, and implement internationally recognized standards, enabling them to provide industry with reliable and accepted QI services domestically. At the system level, the project strengthens functional linkages between QI bodies, regulators, and private-sector users, ensuring that technical regulation is supported by competent infrastructure rather than legislation alone. Integration into European and international QI networks (EURAMET, EA, BIPM, OIML) is reinforced to secure the external credibility required for mutual recognition. At the economic level, improved availability and recognition of QI services reduce technical barriers to trade, allowing Ukrainian manufacturers to demonstrate compliance locally instead of relying on costly foreign testing and certification.This directly supports export competitiveness, facilitates market surveillance aligned with EU practice, and contributes to the implementation roadmap toward ACAA. At the sectoral level, strengthened QI capacities in photovoltaics and energy storage underpin Ukraine’s energy transition by ensuring safety, performance verification, and long-term reliability of renewable-energy technologies. At the societal level, targeted professional-development measures—including support to female specialists—contribute to a more resilient and inclusive technical workforce within Ukraine’s QI system.

The project is planned and implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture (MoE) of Ukraine, the National Metrology Institutes, the National Accreditation Agency (NAAU) and the relevant public and private sector stakeholders involved the Photovoltaics sector.

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