"304 labs—that's not enough." The Senate discussed a new product safety system.
Following the introduction of market surveillance, the need for product testing in Uzbekistan will increase significantly, according to the Agency for Technical Regulation. Currently, there are 304 accredited laboratories operating in the country, but this is insufficient. The authorities hope to expand private sector participation.
"304 Laboratories Are Not Enough." The Senate Discussed the New Product Safety System
On August 7, at a plenary session of the Senate, Lazizbek Saidoripov, First Deputy Director of the Agency for Technical Regulation, stated that the 304 accredited testing laboratories operating in Uzbekistan would not be able to meet the country's needs after the implementation of the new market surveillance system.
Senator Zakirjon Rakhmonov raised the issue of the readiness of laboratory infrastructure during the discussion of the law "On General Product Safety." He noted that the document provides mechanisms for the rapid identification and seizure of hazardous goods and inquired about the laboratories' sufficient technical and accreditation capabilities, as well as the plans to ensure international recognition of test results.
Saidoripov reported that 304 accredited laboratories operate in the food industry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical and light industry, construction, and pharmaceuticals. "This is certainly not enough," the agency representative stated.
According to him, the need for testing will increase after the introduction of market surveillance, which includes test purchases of products. Furthermore, Saidoripov stated that nine more agencies will be involved in the surveillance.
Saidoripov also spoke about measures to develop private testing laboratories.
According to him, the presidential decree of February 16, 2026, stipulates that if two private laboratories exist in a given area, the state should not create its own structure, which could lead to monopolization of this activity.
The agency representative stated that this measure should increase entrepreneurs' interest in establishing laboratories and their participation in product conformity assessment. He noted that a large number of laboratories are currently undergoing or planning to undergo accreditation.
Furthermore, the conformity assessment system is gradually shifting from certification to declaration. Saidoripov stated that mechanisms for direct recognition of documents issued in the country of manufacture are being envisaged.
"The entrepreneur provides his documents and declares [conformity]. "One regulator in this chain is disappearing," he explained.
According to the agency's first deputy head, competition between private testing laboratories is also expected to increase. He stated that some state laboratories are being transferred to the private sector, and that the findings of both state and private laboratories must be recognized on equal terms.
The digitalization of product safety monitoring was also discussed at the meeting.
Saidoripov reported that more than 300 testing laboratories are already connected to the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS). It contains information on product requirements and conformity assessment results.
The agency representative allowed for the possibility that artificial intelligence could be used to process test results in the future.
"It's not necessary to evaluate each test report in the traditional way. If artificial intelligence is implemented and risk analysis criteria are clearly defined, this system will be able to analyze which products are safer and which have a higher risk level," he said.
As noted in the report on the law, the new system was developed, among other things, to align Uzbekistan's technical regulations with World Trade Organization requirements.
The law provides for the application of equal requirements to both local and imported products, the priority of international standards, and the prevention of unjustified technical barriers to trade.