Uzbekistan to introduce compulsory labeling of all manufactured and imported goods  

In Uzbekistan, effective from August 1, 2019, mandatory labeling of imported and manufactured goods in the republic will be introduced step-by-step using protected tags and nano-molecular technology, Kun.uz correspondent reports referring to the presidential decree. 
 
It should be noted that there is a tendency in the country to increase the volume of illegal, poor-quality, counterfeit and falsified products. This is detrimental to the life and health of citizens. It leads to unhealthy competition and losses of the State budget as well as creates conditions for the manifestation of corruption and other offenses. 
 
According to the developers of the document, the new system will prevent the illegal import into the republic. It will also avoid the production and sale of certain types of goods, ensure their effective accounting, as well as improve the collection of taxes and other mandatory payments. 
  
The document approved the list of goods that are subject to mandatory labeling, but it is not yet available for viewing. 
  
As soon as the mandatory labeling is effective in the country, the sale of goods without labeling will be prohibited. In this case, the sale of goods re-included in the list is permitted without marking within 180 days from the date of its inclusion. 
 
The acquisition of labeling of goods, including excisable goods, is carried out by business entities at their own expense directly from a single labeling service provider. 
  
The President instructed by January 1, 2019 to develop and submit a procedure for mandatory labeling of goods using a protected label and nano-molecular technology for approval of the Cabinet of Ministers. 
 
The regulation should include:

• the rights, duties and responsibilities of the labeling service provider, business entities and authorities that monitor the implementation of the requirements for mandatory labeling of goods; 

• the procedure/procedures for labeling, the cost and process of acquiring labeling services, including excise stamps; 

• a list of government agencies having access to the database of labeling service provider; 

• procedure for monitoring the sale of stamps, including excise stamps and provision of labeling services. 
 
Until February 1, 2019, the National Agency for Project Management (NAPM) should choose, based on the selection of the best offers, a labeling service provider with practical experience and a high level of security, reliability, as well as quality of services provided. The contract with the provider of these services will be concluded for a period of 5-10 years with fixing the cost of services provided for the entire period of the contract. 
 
By the end of February 2019, the Cabinet of Ministers has to submit to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis a draft law considering the establishment of responsibility for the sale of goods without marking, including an increase in the size of penalties.