Experiment with digital labeling of mineral fertilizers and chemicals used to protect plants will be launched starting from May 1. Whilst, starting from May 1 next year, labeling of about 100 types of fertilizers and chemicals will become mandatory. Thus, the list of products for which mandatory labeling has been introduced will be brought to 7.
Although it has been widely repeated that the goal of digital labeling is to whiten the markets, the actual results are rising additional costs for manufacturers, which are in the end of the day are being borne by consumers (the latest example is the sharp increase in the price of water and soft drinks). Also, tobacco smuggling or illegal alcohol sales, for which labeling is mandatory, have not stopped expanding. In general, independent research is needed on the relation between mandatory labeling and market saturation, mandatory labeling and price increases.
In Uzbekistan, mandatory labeling has been entrusted to CRPT TURON LLC without any competition or tender. This company is the exclusive owner of the right. In practice, for each product with mandatory labeling, importers and manufacturers shall pay a fee to CRPT TURON LLC, which is essentially a mandatory fee.
