At the seminar organized for representatives of the garment industry, Gulkaïyr Kaïypova, the chief specialist of the accreditation department of the Certification Bodies of the Kyrgyz Accreditation Center, touched upon important aspects of product certification. With the growing export potential of Kyrgyzstan's garment industry, certification issues are becoming increasingly relevant. She explained in detail to the attendees the process of certification and declaration of goods in accordance with the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union, as reported by the press service of the Bishkek city administration.
According to Kaïypova, there are 36 accredited certification bodies operating in Kyrgyzstan, of which more than 20 are included in the official registry and have the necessary authority to conduct certification procedures and issue declarations. This allows manufacturers to choose the most suitable body for a quick certification process.
Kaïypova also addressed declaration issues, noting that currently only two institutions have the right to issue conformity declarations. Initially, these functions were performed solely by the Bishkek Center for Standardization and Metrology; however, later their authority was transferred to the Kyrgyz Accreditation Center, which significantly simplified access for manufacturers to declaration services.
A key issue was compliance with the technical regulation of the EAEU 017/2011 "On the Safety of Light Industry Products," which affects the circulation of goods within the Union. Kaïypova emphasized that first-layer products, such as underwear and hosiery, are subject exclusively to certification, while declaration for this category is prohibited due to their direct impact on consumer health.
For second and third-layer products, manufacturers can choose between certification and declaration.
Gulkaïyr Kaïypova also discussed the practical certification process: accredited specialists visit the production site, collect samples, examine the production process, and check documents related to raw materials and equipment, as well as the accuracy of labeling. Sample testing is conducted in accredited laboratories, ensuring the accuracy and objectivity of the results.
However, as Kaïypova emphasized, inspections often reveal errors that can significantly hinder the entry of Kyrgyz products into the markets of EAEU countries. Kyrgyzstan receives numerous complaints from regulatory bodies in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. The main issues arise from incorrect fabric composition declarations or improper application of HS codes, which can lead to customs delays or even denial of goods entry.
In conclusion of her speech, Kaïypova highlighted the differences in responsibility between different forms of conformity assessment: a certificate is issued by the certification body, while the applicant is responsible for the accuracy of the declaration. Therefore, it is crucial for manufacturers to carefully monitor the correctness of document preparation and compliance with requirements to ensure the safety and quality of their products in the EAEU market.
