Uzbekistan Delays Beverage Digital Labeling Aggregation

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Cabinet of Ministers of Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has postponed the introduction of the aggregation stage in the digital labeling system for water and non-alcoholic beverages by one year, shifting the deadline to 1 April 2027, according to a resolution dated 19 May.

The decision affects the mechanism for tracking product batches and represents another adjustment to the timeline for implementing digital labeling requirements in the sector. The postponement comes amid multiple appeals from market participants who cited insufficient infrastructure readiness and the complexity of technical solutions required for implementation.

Business representatives noted that existing mechanisms could slow down production processes and increase costs, potentially affecting final consumer prices. They also argued that digital tracking systems for soft drinks are not widely adopted internationally due to relatively low risks of counterfeit products in this segment.

The government resolution emphasizes that the delay is necessary to complete the technical infrastructure and ensure a phased rollout of mandatory digital labeling for both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. The implementation of reflecting digital labeling codes in electronic invoices has also been postponed by one year.

The Tax Committee of Uzbekistan, together with the system operator Asl Belgisi and CRPT Turon, has been instructed to conduct awareness campaigns for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers on the practical application of the new requirements. The document also highlights the need to prepare market participants for the system’s future implementation.

Previously, business associations expressed concern over potential penalties for violations of labeling rules, which they said could be significant and applied even in cases of unintentional errors involving individual products. These issues were not directly addressed in the resolution.

Uzbekistan’s digital labeling system has been implemented since 2019, initially covering tobacco and alcohol products before expanding to pharmaceuticals and household appliances. The system operator, CRPT Turon, is linked to Russia’s Center for Research in Perspective Technologies, which manages a similar platform in Russia.

The implementation timeline for beverage labeling has been repeatedly postponed. Initial deadlines were shifted from 2022, then revised again in 2023 and 2024. During discussions, industry associations consistently called for a reassessment of the implementation model and technical improvements, while the system operator maintained that the platform ensures market transparency.

Earlier in 2026, the issue was reviewed again at government level following consultations with market participants. Subsequently, the President of Shavkat Mirziyoyev supported the postponement of the aggregation stage and the review of penalty mechanisms in the sector.