President: "The outdated system of standards and certification is tying the hands of entrepreneurs"

A videoconference meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sharply criticized the problems in the country's standardization and certification system.

It was noted at the meeting that more than 25 thousand standards and 41 technical regulations do not meet the requirements of the international market. At the same time, almost half of the 13 thousand types of products - 6.5 thousand - are subject to mandatory certification, increasing the cost of products and creating an additional burden for entrepreneurs.

"When have ministers and governors listened to the concerns of entrepreneurs and thought about which standards to change or cancel, which products to exclude from the certification requirement? Unfortunately, never!" - the president sharply criticized.

In particular, dairy and meat producers also complain about the system of sanitary and epidemiological reports. For example, although $100 million worth of baby food is imported annually, an entrepreneur who built a modern factory cannot start work due to the lack of a sanitary report.

The President said that in such cases, the Sanepidkom system should develop standards on its own initiative. At the same time, he demanded the abolition of bureaucracy, such as requiring separate inspections for different packaging of the same product.

The weakness of the laboratory system was also criticized. For example, entrepreneurs are forced to visit two different laboratories to certify mineral water. This is a waste of time and money. The President ordered to consolidate inspections in one place.

The President also sharply criticized the bureaucracy in the process of registering medical equipment. "Does it take 4-5 months to register everything from a simple thermometer to an MRI machine? This is the wrong approach," the head of state said.

The president announced several important measures to improve the system:

• Food control will be transferred to the Sanepidkom system;
  
• The mandatory nature of technical regulations and standards for food products will be abolished;
  
• Sanitary rules for basic products will be brought into line with international standards;
  
• The practice of state registration of 7 high-risk product groups will be abolished;
  
• The list of mandatory certification will be sharply reduced, and a declaration system will be established.
  

The president also announced the abolition of restrictions on exports. Export duties will be imposed only on 86 socially significant product groups. This will create opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter foreign markets and compete.

"We need to pave the way for entrepreneurs, increase production, and allow them to enter expensive markets. Then the entrepreneur will have both passion and interest," the president said. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!