Uzbekistan is adjusting the implementation of a digital marking system for water and soft drinks in favor of entrepreneurs. The change involves a delay in the aggregation mechanism—the process of combining individual packages into larger batches—which has proven technically challenging for many market participants.

Business Ombudsman Abdumannop Buriyev reported that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev supported the decision to pause. According to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution, aggregation requirements were supposed to take effect on April 1 of this year.

However, Buriyev noted that monitoring showed even among the ten largest producers, who control nearly 90% of the market, half are not yet ready for the new system. To ensure a smooth transition to digital traceability, the deadlines have been postponed.

Along with schedule changes, authorities plan to soften the penalty system. Aziz Umrzaqov, director of a department at the Tax Committee, confirmed that on the initiative of the head of state, fines for violations in the marking sphere will be reduced. This responds to business complaints about disproportionate sanctions: currently, entrepreneurs must pay 2% of total turnover, which often does not match the severity of the offense.

Special changes will affect retail and public catering: fines will no longer be tied to total revenue, but set as fixed amounts. Sanctions for producers and importers will also be reduced, allowing the market to adapt to new rules without the risk of ruinous losses.

Source: podrobno.uz