Shqikos - Aralco SH.A.

EU Legislative Interests

Main EU legislative proposals or policies targeted: Directive 2009/54/EC on the exploitation and marketing of natural mineral waters, which regulates the recognition, labeling, and commercial standards for natural mineral waters within the EU market. Regulation (EU) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, relevant to the hygienic processing and bottling of natural mineral and spring water. Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, especially related to accurate and transparent labeling of bottled water products. Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast of the Drinking Water Directive), which mandates quality monitoring, transparency, and safety standards. Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, as it relates to traceability, consumer protection, and food safety compliance. EU Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, with a focus on packaging sustainability, reduced carbon footprint, and resource efficiency in the bottled water industry. In addition, the company is actively working toward harmonization with EU food safety legislation and environmental standards, aiming to expand exports to EU markets. The company follows internationally recognized quality and safety systems, including HACCP and ISO 22000, as part of its commitment to compliance, quality assurance, and consumer protection.

Communication Activities

Communication activities (events, campaigns, publications, etc.) related to the EU policies above: Participation in national and regional workshops and information sessions related to EU food safety standards and water quality regulations, often organized in cooperation with chambers of commerce, local EU Info Centers, and donor-funded programs such as GIZ and USAID. Consultations with local food safety and standards authorities to align production processes with EU hygiene and labeling regulations (e.g., Regulation (EU) No 852/2004 and 1169/2011). Engagement with certification bodies and international consultants regarding HACCP and ISO 22000 implementation, in the context of preparing for future EU market access. Internal awareness campaigns and training events with company staff to raise understanding of EU directives relevant to bottled water, traceability, and sustainable packaging practices. Monitoring EU regulatory updates and participating in online forums and public consultations related to environmental impact of plastic packaging and water resource management, in line with the EU Green Deal.

Interests Represented

Promotes their own interests or the collective interests of their members

Member Of

The company is a member or affiliated with several national and regional bodies in Kosovo that support business development, quality standards, and industry-specific collaboration, including: Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (Oda Ekonomike e Kosovës) Kosovo Association of Bottled Water Producers (Shoqata e Prodhuesve të Ujit të Ambaluar në Kosovë) Kosovo Standardization Agency (Agjencia Kosovare për Standardizim – ASAK), in support of harmonization with EU directives Kosovo Business Alliance (Aleanca Kosovare e Bizneseve – AKB) Supports and collaborates with local environmental and water resource management initiatives and public awareness campaigns related to sustainable water use These memberships help the company stay aligned with national and EU-level developments in regulation, certification, and export facilitation.

Organisation Members

Shqikos - Aralco SH.A. is a joint-stock company with multiple private shareholders, in accordance with its founding statute and applicable corporate governance laws in the Republic of Kosovo. The company does not have subsidiary entities or formal affiliations with other legal entities beyond its shareholders. A complete list of shareholders and board members is maintained in accordance with national legislation and available upon request through the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (KBRA): https://arbk.rks-gov.net

Additional Information

Complementary information: Shqikos - Aralco SH.A. operates as a private joint-stock company with commercial activities focused on the production and bottling of natural and mineral water. The company has not received EU funding directly or through subsidiary companies during the period concerned. All interest representation activities are carried out by internal staff as part of their regular responsibilities, with no separate budget allocated specifically for such activities. Therefore, the costs related to these activities remain minimal.