Mandatory labeling also proposed for vegetable oil

The Tax Committee has put up for public discussion a draft Cabinet of Ministers resolution on digital labeling of vegetable oil. The draft was submitted for public discussion. If adopted, mandatory labeling may come into force on July 1, 2027.

According to the preamble of the document, the initiative is aimed at digitalizing the production and sale of vegetable oil, as well as preventing cases of its illegal import, production and sale.

The requirement will apply to oils falling under HS codes 1507–1515. These include soybean, peanut, olive, palm, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, coconut, rapeseed and other vegetable oils.

Labeling will be carried out via a barcoded sticker affixed to consumer packaging (outer or inner). Producers, importers, as well as organizations engaged in wholesale and retail trade must connect to the Asl Belgisi national labeling and product tracking system. The system operator is the company CRPT Turon. The placing on the market, circulation and withdrawal from circulation of labeled products will be tracked through the system.

Selling vegetable oil subject to mandatory labeling without a labeling code will be deemed a violation of trade rules and will entail liability in accordance with legislation. It is proposed to entrust tax authorities with monitoring compliance with the requirements.

Public discussion of the draft document will continue until October 24.

For reference, mandatory digital labeling in Uzbekistan currently applies to tobacco products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including drinking water), medicines and household appliances.

The digital labeling system has been gradually expanded since 2020. Earlier, the introduction of aggregation for water and non-alcoholic beverages was postponed until April 1, 2027.