Confectionery Standards in the Eurasian Economic Union

A barrier-free trade in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) market is impossible without a unified approach to standardization. The research objective was to analyze and develop proposals that would make it possible to unify the standards of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC) on the content of sulfur dioxide and sulfites in confectionery products. The study featured technical regulations and standards for confectionery products, methods for determining sulfur dioxide, and EAEU resources on the results of control oversight activities. The methods included comparison, analogy, analysis, synthesis, peer review, integrated standardization, and system analysis. The analysis involved the official websites of the authorized bodies of the EAEU states on control and supervisory measures for compliance with technical regulations. It revealed the main reasons behind the limited confectionery turnover associated with excessive sulfur dioxide and sulfites. The standards showed discrepancies with Technical Regulations of Customs Union TR CU 022/2011 and TR CU 029/2012. The content standards for sulfur dioxide and sulfites in finished products were different. The analysis detected no unified approach to indicators, measurement units, and detection methods. The authors also assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the existing domestic State Standards for methods of sulfur dioxide and sulfite detection in confectionery products. The state standards have to be adapted to the international standards and EU Directives, in particular, by certifying the Monier-Williams method. The results can help to unify national and international regulations in order to remove technical barriers in the EAEU market and increase the export volume. They also can help confectionery producers to improve the quality and safety of confectionery products.