During a video selector meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the problems in the country's standardization and certification system were sharply criticized.
It was noted at the meeting that more than 25,000 standards and 41 technical regulations do not meet international market requirements. At the same time, nearly half of the approximately 13,000 product types – 6,500 of which require mandatory certification – are increasing production costs and placing an additional burden on entrepreneurs.
"When will ministers and governors listen to the concerns of entrepreneurs and consider which standards to change or abolish, and which products to exempt from certification requirements? Unfortunately, never!" the president harshly criticized.
In particular, producers of dairy and meat products are also complaining about the system of sanitary-epidemiological conclusions. For example, although $100 million worth of baby food is imported annually, an entrepreneur who has built a modern factory cannot start operations due to the lack of a sanitary conclusion.
The president stated that in such cases, the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service should independently develop standards. He also demanded the abolition of bureaucracy that requires separate inspections for different packaging of the same product.
The weakness of the laboratory system was also specifically criticized. For example, entrepreneurs are forced to go to two different laboratories for the certification of mineral water. This means wasting time and resources. The president instructed to consolidate inspections in one place.
Additionally, the president sharply criticized the bureaucracy in the process of registering medical equipment. "Does a simple thermometer need to be registered for 4-5 months, just like an MRI machine? This is an incorrect approach," said the head of state.
The president announced several important measures to improve the system:
- Control of food products will be transferred to the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service;
- The mandatory nature of technical regulations and standards for food products will be abolished;
- Sanitary rules for basic products will be aligned with international standards;
- The practice of state registration for 7 high-risk commodity groups will be abolished;
- The list of mandatory certification will be sharply reduced, and a declaration system will be implemented.
Furthermore, the president announced the abolition of export restrictions. Only 86 socially significant commodity groups will have export duties imposed. This will create opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter foreign markets and compete.
"We must open the way for entrepreneurs, increase production, and provide opportunities to enter expensive markets. Then entrepreneurs will have both desire and interest," said the president.
