Nigora Azizova
Head, International Cooperation Department
O’ZAKK

In today’s interconnected world, the success of trade and economic development relies heavily on the trust consumers place in the quality of products and services. A key element in building this trust is the accreditation system – a vital tool that ensures products meet international standards and quality requirements. The system not only enhances the competitiveness of a country’s economy but also opens doors for increased exports.

The Uzbek Center for Accreditation, known as O’ZAKK, plays a crucial role in fostering transparency and confidence in the Uzbek market. By creating favorable conditions for businesses, O’ZAKK helps Uzbek-made products compete successfully both locally and globally. O’ZAKK’s efforts, among others include developing new accreditation schemes aligned with international standards. This allows Uzbek conformity assessment bodies – organizations that verify product quality – to validate their results, ensuring products meet global requirements and can seamlessly integrate into international supply chains.

Modern accreditation systems serve as a powerful tool for promoting export growth. When products undergo conformity assessments recognized worldwide, they gain credibility in international markets. This process is especially important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often face difficulties entering foreign markets due to perceived quality concerns. Accredited conformity assessment results reduce trade barriers, and save time and resources for businesses. These advantages increase the attractiveness of Uzbek products abroad, leading to higher export volumes, attracting foreign investments, and fostering new trade partnerships.

A significant milestone in these efforts was the conference dedicated to the World Accreditation Day 2025 “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises” – organized by O’ZAKK on July 1, 2025. The conference brought together leading experts, government officials, private sector representatives, international organizations, and accreditation bodies from Central Asia. It served as an important platform for sharing experiences, ideas, and strategies to strengthen the accreditation system both within Uzbekistan and across the region.

The event was highlighted by the participation of distinguished international guests. Notable speakers including Mr. Brahim Houla, Accreditation Director of the GCC Accreditation Center (GAC) and Chair of the IAF MLA Committee; Dr. Peter Ulbig, Director of Verification Authority of Lower Saxony; and a delegation from the Azerbaijan Center for Accreditation led by Director General Mr. Emin Zeynalov shared their knowledge and insights, which added significant value to the discussions on developing regional quality infrastructure.

Private sector representatives, business leaders and enterprise managers shared their experiences and views on how the accreditation system can expand their business opportunities. Discussions centered on how international standards and accreditation can boost consumer confidence and strengthen trade relations with international partners. Emphasis was placed on the importance of international cooperation, raising awareness among businesses, and modernizing the country’s quality infrastructure – key factors for ongoing economic prosperity.  The open exchange of knowledge, practical case studies, and collaborative dialogue created a dynamic environment for collaboration.

By supporting ongoing events and initiatives, O’ZAKK further aims to strengthen quality infrastructure and support the growth of Uzbek enterprises. Through these efforts, Uzbekistan is steadily building a more competitive, export-oriented economy that benefits both businesses and consumers, ensuring sustainable development and increased integration into the global market.