The issues concerning product certification and service licensing were at the centre of attention during the seminar held at the State Commttee of Uzbekistan for Demonopolisation, Support of Competition and Entrepreneurship.

The legal framework for these two processes aimed at protecting the population’s health is constituted by the Law "On certification of products and services".

In line with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan dated 18 May 2007, the list of products made subject to mandatory certification has been shortened by 250 items. The document envisages further simplification of the order of licensing and certification and creation of additional favourable conditions for entrepreneurial activity, UzA reported.

In particular, the products to which no safety requirements are set by the technical documentation, as well as products used for technical and industrial purposes have been excluded from the list of products subject to mandatory certification. Moreover, certification is now not required for the products of the enterprises of public catering, except for semi-finished food sold through trade networks.

In addition, about 170 types of products may be certificated through their declaration by the enterprises possessing their own accredited test laboratories. The procedure of declaration is introduced in relation to such products, as cigarettes, tires for trucks, cotton fabrics, multi-layer insulation materials, cables, etc. Their quality is confirmed by the producer.

This all was discussed at the seminar. Participants reviewed the course of implementation of the governmental resolution. The representatives of the State Customs Committee, Ministry of health and UzStandard Agency attended the meeting. It was specifically emphasized that new rules introduced according to the resolution create better conditions for the enterprise entities. This will expand their capacity to produce competitive and export-oriented goods.

Seminar participants made a plan of measures that should be taken to raise awareness about the new regulations among entrepreneurs and other business entities.