Mandatory labeling of alcoholic and tobacco products is proposed to be postponed to July

The Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic proposes to extend the pilot project on labeling with identification means until June 30, and postpone the introduction of mandatory labeling of alcohol and tobacco products until July 1.

The draft government resolution "On Amendments to Certain Decisions of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Implementation of the Electronic System of Fiscalization of Tax Procedures" has been submitted for public discussion and posted on the government website: https://www.gov.kg/ru/npa/s/3003

The government has begun to implement measures for labeling goods with identification means, including the introduction of an electronic system for the fiscalization of tax procedures.

The ministry received appeals from the business community with a request to extend the timeframe for the introduction of mandatory labeling of tobacco products until 2022.

On February 12 and March 12, 2021, the Ministry of Economy and Finance hosted meetings with the participation of interested government agencies and the national operator of labeling of goods, and representatives of the business community. They discussed the issues of labeling alcohol and tobacco products by means of identification, including the issues of extending the timing of the introduction of labeling of goods.

At the meeting, the STS representatives informed about the risks of technical unavailability of the implementation of the national information system for labeling goods by April 1, 2021, given the dependence of Kyrgyzstan on the provision of technical assistance from Russia. Under an agreement between the governments of the two countries, Russia will provide Kyrgyzstan with free technical assistance in creating a system for labeling goods.

In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as taking into account the technical unavailability of the implementation of the national information system for labeling goods in the Kyrgyz Republic and in connection with the appeals of business entities, a draft government resolution has been developed, according to which it is proposed to extend the terms of the following measures:

• Conducting a pilot project on marking with identification means until June 30, 2021;

• Introduction of mandatory labeling of alcohol and tobacco products by July 1, 2021.