Kazakhstan has tightened accreditation requirements for conformity assessment bodies that issue SBKTS certificates

The National Accreditation Center of the CTRM MTI RK has introduced photo and video recording during the assessment of testing laboratories that conduct vehicle tests for issuing a Vehicle Type Approval Certificate (VTAC).

Recording is carried out only with the consent of the accreditation subjects and exclusively within the framework of concluded contracts. The procedure for photo and video recording has been enshrined in the internal documents of the NAC since February 2025.

In addition to equipment, the conduct of control tests is recorded on video. This confirms that the laboratory independently performs the work, uses the declared equipment, and has qualified personnel. Thus, accreditation confirms not only the availability of documents, but also the actual technical readiness of the laboratory.

«Photo and video materials also help to eliminate disputable situations after the assessment, allowing objective confirmation of which equipment was used and how the tests were conducted. Recording is carried out only with the consent of the accreditation subjects and within the framework of concluded contracts», - noted the National Accreditation Center.

The pilot project has proven its effectiveness, and today photo and video recording is applied not only in the accreditation of laboratories issuing VTAC, but also for verification and calibration laboratories, environmental testing laboratories, and non-destructive testing laboratories.

To date, 55 laboratories have already been assessed using the new mechanism.

The next stage will be the legislative consolidation of the new approach. After the adoption of the relevant amendments, photo and video recording will become a mandatory element of the modern accreditation system, increase confidence in test results, and minimize the possibility of a formal assessment process.

Also, as part of ensuring full traceability of conformity assessment procedures, the NAC is implementing a project for the identification of equipment in testing laboratories involved in issuing VTAC. The marking ensures instant digital verification of equipment during assessments. Identification is carried out on an ongoing basis as applications are received from accreditation subjects engaged in issuing VTAC. Equipment identification is carried out by mutual consent within the framework of contractual relations (before amendments are made to the law “On Accreditation in the Field of Conformity Assessment”). As of 18.08.2026, equipment identification has been carried out for 40 subjects.

In addition, a necessary minimum volume of equipment has been established - 95% owned by testing laboratories operating in the transport sector. The measure is aimed at eliminating the practice of nominal accreditation and increasing the reliability of tests.