2017年-世界发展银行全球_Ukraine_National_Quality_Infrastructure_Gap_Assessment_83页_1mb

Summary of Ukraine National Quality Infrastructure Gap Assessment

Core Content

This document presents a comprehensive analysis of the current and desired state of Ukraine's National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), identifying gaps and proposing reforms to align the system with international standards and enhance its effectiveness and sustainability.

Main Objectives

• To evaluate the market gaps in quality assurance (QA) services in Ukraine.
• To assess the current state and capabilities of QA service providers.
• To support the Government of Ukraine (GoU) in prioritizing legal and institutional reforms.
• To estimate the financial needs for NQI upgrades and their potential impact on the economy and society.

Structure of the Report

The report is structured as follows:

• Executive Summary: Provides an overview of the key concepts, findings, and recommendations.
• Chapter I: Describes the current state and recent developments in Ukraine's NQI.
• Chapter II: Defines the desired state of Ukraine's NQI based on international best practices.
• Chapter III: Identifies the main gaps in the NQI system.
• Chapter IV: Proposes reform actions for transforming the NQI system.
• Chapter V: Estimates the required investments and assesses their impact.
• Appendix A: Details the legal framework of Ukraine's NQI.

Current State of Ukraine's NQI

Ukraine's NQI consists of:

• A technical regulatory system.
• Standardization, measurement, and certification infrastructures.
• Accreditation, conformity assessment, market surveillance, and inspection systems.

Three main groups of NQI organizations exist:

1. Regulatory bodies that prepare Technical Regulations (TR).
2. Market surveillance bodies (MSBs) that enforce TR implementation.
3. Service providers that offer QA-related services, including:
   • Core service providers: Standardization, accreditation, and metrology organizations.
   • Other service providers: Conformity assessment bodies such as measurement laboratories and certification/inspection bodies.

The NQI system is structured in line with international practices, and there are no major problems regarding international recognition. However, the system is not yet fully effective or sustainable.

Effectiveness and Sustainability of NQI

Effectiveness

• Stage 1 (Compliance): Achieved approximately 95% of the required international trade compliance.
• Stage 2 (Added value to customers): Achieved about 50%.
• Stage 3 (Added value to economy and society): Achieved only about 20%.

Overall, the effectiveness of Ukraine's NQI is estimated at 56%.

Contribution to GDP

The NQI contributes about US$4.5 billion annually to Ukraine's GDP.

Gaps Identified

There are 84 observed gaps, grouped into five major areas:

1. Gaps in Concepts, Operations, and Outputs
2. Gaps in Infrastructure and Capabilities
3. Gaps in Awareness, Expectations, and Perception
4. Gaps in Coordination
5. Gaps in Funding

Key Gaps

• Institutional structure: Conflict of interest due to the concentration of regulatory, surveillance, and certification functions in a single institution (DSSU).
• Operational limitations: Weak market surveillance and product testing capabilities.
• Perception and awareness: Low understanding of the role and benefits of NQI among stakeholders.
• Physical infrastructure: Inadequate laboratory premises, outdated equipment, and poor environmental conditions.
• Staff skills: Limited foreign language proficiency and experience with modern equipment.
• Funding and investment: Insufficient resources to implement reforms and modernize infrastructure.

Desired State of NQI

The desired state of Ukraine's NQI is defined as:

• Complying with the requirements of international trade (EU and WTO) — necessary condition.
• Contributing to the development of the economy and society by producing and exporting high-quality products and protecting consumers — sufficient condition.

The desired state includes both core functions (conformity assessment of finished products or services) and supplementary functions (contributing to the development and improvement of products, materials, and services).

Reform Recommendations

Short-Term Actions (Quick Wins)

• Prepare a detailed action plan for long-term reforms.
• Complete remaining compliance and international recognition elements.
• Encourage institutional development of NQI organizations.
• Assess the effectiveness of the legal system.
• Resolve perceived conflict of interest issues.
• Increase confidence in market surveillance.
• Improve efficiency of core NQI organizations.
• Enhance the effectiveness of the NQI system.
• Raise awareness about the role and benefits of NQI.
• Make access to NQI-related information easier.
• Enhance cooperation with research and development (R&D) establishments.

Long-Term Actions

• Prepare a strategy for technological development involving relevant NQI organizations.
• Develop an effective central coordination system for NQI.
• Revise the role of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) in NQI.
• Reorganize the metrology system.
• Further modernize the legal framework.
• Institutionalize need assessment, long-term planning, and investment prioritization processes.

Needed Investments

• Short-term investment: Estimated at USD 700,000 to implement the Quick Wins.
• Long-term investment: Initial estimated cost is USD 25 million for premises, IT equipment, and staff training.
• Potential additional investment: Likely to be double the initial estimate due to aging equipment in the four Scientific Metrology Centers.

Impact Assessment

• Achieving the desired state of NQI could significantly increase the effectiveness of the system to about 86%.
• This would lead to higher-quality exports, improved competitiveness, and greater contribution to GDP.
• It would also enhance consumer protection and support the development of a more innovative and technologically advanced industry.

Conclusion

Ukraine's NQI, inherited from the Soviet Union, has undergone significant reforms but still faces major challenges in effectiveness and sustainability. The reforms are aimed at transforming the system into a more modern, independent, and internationally recognized structure that supports both export growth and domestic consumer protection. The implementation of these reforms requires both short and long-term investments, and the success of these efforts depends on addressing institutional, operational, and financial gaps.