Decisions on the implementation of product labeling projects will be made after a comprehensive discussion — Zhumangarin
The current status of labeling of goods, development prospects and main tasks in this area were discussed by representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Integration and the single operator of labeling and traceability of goods of Kazakhtelecom JSC at a working meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin.
Work on the introduction of digital labeling and traceability of goods in Kazakhstan began in 2018 in order to ensure free and legal turnover of goods, balanced trade and fair competition.
Mandatory labeling has been introduced for four commodity groups: fur products, tobacco products, footwear products and medicines. Pilot projects on packaged water, sugar—containing beverages and jewelry are in the works. In 2021, a pilot project on labeling individual light industry goods was completed, and regulatory impact analysis is being conducted. The decision to introduce mandatory labeling in the country is made based on the results of successful pilot projects in coordination with NCE "Atameken" and in the absence of negative socio-economic consequences.
According to the data announced at the meeting by the representative of the Digital Economy Development Center LLP, currently more than 38 thousand participants are registered in the labeling system, 3.3 billion Data Matrix codes have been issued. According to the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, mandatory labeling of fur products made it possible to identify violators of tax legislation, taxpayers who underestimated income in order to apply the maximum threshold value under a special tax regime for preferential taxation. As a result, the number of entrepreneurs operating on the basis of a patent has decreased by 13 times. However, the lack of control, traceability and administrative responsibility led to a decrease in the dynamics of the reduction of shadow trade turnover. To address this issue, government agencies are working on making appropriate changes to the Administrative Code.
"I consider the main task of implementing the product labeling project, first of all, as the creation of a tool to protect domestic consumers. To do this, it is necessary to listen to the opinions of all interested participants, meet with industry associations. Decisions will be made only based on the results of a comprehensive discussion," Serik Zhumangarin summed up.