KEY CONCLUSIONS
Achieving higher product quality standards across the EAEU countries necessitates the formulation and implementation of a unified nationwide strategy
"In the face of new economic circumstances, the professional community has made continuous efforts over the years to establish a state-level strategy for quality assurance. Since 2016, the Russian Organization for Quality has put forth several proposals to develop and endorse such a document. <...> Currently, there is an ongoing extensive discussion surrounding the draft concept [of the Eurasian Quality Assurance System], which has undergone thorough evaluation by experts from the Russian Organization for Quality. This draft document encompasses all levels of product quality assurance system management, including national and supranational levels of enterprise governance. Thus, the initiative to create such a concept brings hope that it will be ultimately adopted and effectively implemented, particularly within the Russian Federation," emphasized Lyubov Bondar, President, Association for Technical Regulation.
"The unified system of technical regulation within the Eurasian Economic Union serves as a vital framework, allowing member states not only to address trade barriers but also to ensure the effective protection of domestic markets from unsafe products. It establishes conditions that promote the necessary level of competitiveness for products within the union. In the current era of rapid scientific and technological progress and the integration of innovations, it becomes imperative to enhance the primary elements of technical regulation within the union, including standardization, conformity assessment, uniformity of measurements, accreditation, and state supervision," highlighted Elena Morgunova, First Deputy Chairman, State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus.
"A crucial aspect that requires attention is the issue of effective state supervision across countries. Currently, no country, except the Republic of Belarus, has been able to provide comprehensive information regarding the state of product safety. Although regulators have initiated fruitful internal work focusing on the study of conformity assessment documents, their completeness, and validity, there is still a lack of tangible evidence of dangerous products in the market," said Viktor Nazarenko, Member of the Board, Minister in Charge of Technical Regulation, Eurasian Economic Commission.
PROBLEMS
Addressing the issue of quality certificate falsification and weak state control
"The seriousness of the [certification system] and the need for effective supervision cannot be overstated, as the presence of fake certificates and inadequate oversight not only poses risks with regards to product safety but also compromises market opportunities for domestic industries. The absence of robust state supervision and the prevalence of counterfeit certificates result in the entry of foreign, often hazardous products into the market, placing Russian bona fide producers at a disadvantage. <...> We need to talk about the importance of discussing state supervision and the certification system as vital components for safeguarding market interests and protecting the industry in the five countries", emphasized Andrey Lotsmanov, Deputy Co-Chairman of the Committee on Industrial Policy and Technical Regulation, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).
"On average, it takes two to three days to get a fake certificate instead of fourteen, and it's cheap. It is three times cheaper than doing all the tests in full. But this practice not only undermines capital resources and erodes honest profits for legitimate laboratories. <...>, it is the unchecked importation of potentially dangerous goods. <...> Moreover, uncompetitive conditions are created for bona fide industry," Kuanysh Elikbaev, Chairman, Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology, Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
"To address [the problem of certificate falsification], significant efforts are being undertaken by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Economy. One of the key strategies to tackle this issue is to complete the modernization of testing laboratories," Bolotbek Nurmatov, Director, Center for Standardization and Metrology under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstandart)
SOLUTIONS
Advancing common quality standards and inter-state organizations in the EAEU
"To enhance the effectiveness of technical regulations and promote harmonization within the EAEU, the establishment of a technical regulation committee within the business council is proposed. This platform is required to develop a consolidated industry position among the five countries. By aligning industry perspectives on standards and draft regulations, the coordination process among government bodies can be expedited more efficiently. Furthermore, the development of common standards is essential, as differing standards hinder the effectiveness of the technical regulation system," said Andrey Lotsmanov, Deputy Co-Chairman of the Committee on Industrial Policy and Technical Regulation, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP).
"The current state of Eurasian technical regulation primarily covers minimum product safety requirements. <...> We consider the importance of gradually transitioning towards a coordinated Eurasian Economic Union standardization policy one of the key areas of development. This approach involves the development of interstate standards to serve as the foundation for technical regulations, as well as the establishment of common standards requirements beyond the scope of mandatory technical regulation. These efforts contribute to the implementation and advancement of integration within the Eurasian Economic Union, including significant projects", – Anton Shalaev, Head of the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart).
Recognizing the opportune circumstances, Bolotbek Nurmatov, Director, Center for Standardization and Metrology under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstandart), advocates for the creation of a council of the heads of national metrology bodies within the EAEU to discuss issues and challenges and plan all activities in a relaxed manner.
Lyubov Bondar, President, Association for Technical Regulation, asserts that the current circumstances are highly favourable for the establishment of two significant entities: the Eurasian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Eurasian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
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