Standard Policies
Beginning in 2005, Kazakhstan embarked on reforming the legal framework underpinning the Standardization, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM) system.
The Kazakhstan Technology Law; the Law on Assurance of Measurement Uniformity; List of Products and Services Subject to Compulsory Certification; the Law on “On Accreditation in the Sphere of Conformity Assessment”; the Law “On Measurement Traceability Assurance”, and other supportiing regulations were enacted, with a view to adhering to the requirements of the WTO administered TBT and SPS agreements.
The entire SQAM system is under the responsibility of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology (CTRM), which reports to the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies and comprises three subordinate bodies: the National Accreditation Centre; Kazakhstan Institute of Standardization and Certification (KazInSt), which is considered to be the national standardization body; and, Kazakhstan Institute of Metrology (KazInMetr). CTRM is a member of the CIS Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification; enjoys an observer status at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); and, participates as a full-fledged member in 4 IEC Technical Committees. CTRM has also been a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) since 1994, and Kazakhstan participates as a full-fledged member in the work of 16 ISO Technical Committees, and as an observer in 13 ISO Technical Committees.
At the time of writing this report, CTRM was spearheading the implementation of the mid-term “Program on Technical Regulating and Quality Infrastructure Establishment for the Period of 2010- 2014”, which was launched in 2010 as part of a broader effort to support innovation. It was also spearheading the implementation of the following CU agreements and decisions:
● Agreement on the Circulation of Products Subject to Mandatory Conformity Assessment on the Customs Territory of the Customs Union.
● Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Accreditation of Certification Bodies and Testing Laboratories (Centers) Performing Conformity Assessment.
● Agreement on Sanitary Measures.
● Agreement on Veterinary-Sanitary Measures.
● Agreement on Plant Quarantine.
● Agreement on Common Technical Regulating Principals in the CU.
● Decision on Common Sanitary Requirements.
● Decision on Common Veterinary Requirements.
● Decision on the Single List of Products Subject to Mandatory Compliance Evaluation.
General Standards
Kazakhstan’s economy is now integrating into the Eurasian Customs Union (Belarus-Kazakhstan-Russia) and the government is addressing an accelerated schedule to integrate further into the Common Economic Space.
Kazakhstan is finalizing accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), while its trade strategy includes a number of free trade agreements (FTAs) to be negotiated. The country is an active member of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC). These agreements have the potential to provide unprecedented opportunities for the Kazakhstani economy to benefit from regional and global economic integration.
With its accession to the WTO, Kazakhstan will be finalizing its first generation trade reforms (tariff reforms) and should start focusing more on its second generation trade reforms. These include trade facilitation, services, regulations and non-tariff measures, competition policy, and other behind the border factors.
These behind the border factors are strongly affected by the quality of policy making, that is to say, the trade policy institutions, which in turn strongly affect the competitiveness of Kazakhstani producers.
IMPORT REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS
All goods imported in Kazakhstan are subject to declaration and customs clearance at approved customs clearance points. A declaration must be filed within thirty days of arrival of the goods to Kazakhstan, but a brief declaration and notification on arrival of goods must be submitted to the customs body within 24 hours after the goods cross the border and are placed at a temporary storage warehouse. With the exception of private persons permitted to transfer goods under a simplified procedure, a customs declaration must be filed by a Kazakhstan entity- that is, a business organization registered under Kazakhstan law or its affiliate or representative located in Kazakhstan, an individual entrepreneur registered in Kazakhstan, or a permanent resident of Kazakhstan. Foreign entities cannot deal directly with customs officials in Kazakhstan and are legally required to use services provided by licensed customs brokers having the right to operate in Kazakhstan.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
According to the new Kazakhstan Law, large trade business entities and organizations of public interests must prepare financial reports in accordance with IFRS. Other legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, at their discretion, may prepare financial reports in accordance with either IFRS or the National Accounting Standards, which generally refer to IFRS.
TARIFFS
Kazakh customs legislation is quite developed and to a large extent based on the principles of the World Customs Organization. Since January 2010, Kazakhstan has been a member of the Customs Union with Russia and Belarus. As a result, the country was required to harmonize its more liberal trade terms with Russia’s more restrictive rules. In some cases, tariffs have increased.
The common customs code took effect on 6 July 2010. Customs barriers between the three countries were eliminated. The countries adopted unified customs legislation, tariff and non-tariff regulations of importing goods from third countries and free movement of goods of the Customs Union within its territory. Imports from Customs Union countries (Russia and Belarus) to Kazakhstan are exempt from import duties and not subject to customs clearance. The Customs Union establishes various types of customs procedures for customs clearance including temporary import.
ACCREDITATION
Kazakhstan is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE), as well as International Accreditation Forum (IAF). National mechanisms for the adoption of international standards are in place. This process stipulates a gradual, but complete, transition to international standards. Kazakhstan has already adopted some of the international standards in the sphere of quality assessment including ISO/IEC17025 General Requirements in Terms of Competence of Testing and Calibrating Laboratories, and these standards are considered to be national. Since 2008, accreditation in conformity assessment is voluntary and the validity of an accreditation certificate is five years.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES
A wide range of goods require a certificate of conformity to allow customs clearance. Some of these requirements are mandatory while some are voluntary.
The list of products requiring certification includes the following:
- agricultural and foods products;
- toys and children’s clothing;
- packaged materials;
- prams;
- electrical and telecommunications equipment;
- transportation equipment and tools;
- pharmaceuticals and healthcare products;
- arms, perfumes, and gold and silver jewelry;
- construction materials and wood.
The Customs Union/EEU of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan establishes common principles and rules for technical regulations. According to Kazakh’s legislation, imported products of foreign origin must meet quality standards and therefore are subject to certification. By this procedure authorities certify in writing the conformity of products and services to the requirements of national legislation.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
All products imported in Kazakhstan must include relevant information about the product in the Kazakh language. It is also recommended that bulk shipments to contain some basic information about the product and its provenance written in Kazakh language. The Russian language may also be used as an additional language as well as the English one.
All imported goods are required to be securely packed with consideration for the nature of the goods, means of transport and likely climatic conditions. It is important to take into account the specifics of the Kazakh market, including its often extreme climatic conditions (both hot and cold) and rough handling on roads, railways and ports.
Outer containers should represent the consignee's mark and port mark, and should be numbered (to accord with packing list), unless the contents can be otherwise readily identified. The contract number must be shown on the outside of containers.
The customs value is estimated by the declarer. In order to confirm the declared information about customs value, the declarer should provide a package of supporting documents. The list of documents necessary to support the declared information is relatively standard and typically includes:
- contracts;
- invoices;
- shipping documents;
- certificate of origin of goods;
- necessary licenses and permits;
- conformity certificates;
- any other documents depending on the specific facts and circumstances.
Kazakh customs authorities carry out strict control over the correctness and reasonableness of determining the customs value and method applied.
CONTACTS
Committee on Technical Regulation and Metrology:
Kazakh Institute for Standardization and Certification:
National Center of Expertise and Certification:
