A promising international context
The war in Ukraine is unleashing consequences difficult to foresee just a few months ago. One of them is the geostrategic, but also economic and commercial role of Kazakhstan in the balance of Central Asia. This huge country, rich in raw materials, has gone from needing the help of Russian troops in January (to quell an internal revolt due to high oil prices) to offering a lukewarm, almost non-existent, support to its main partner trade, Russia.
The refusal to formally recognize the Russian conquests (Crimea, Donbass) by President Tokayev and some support from Kazakh civil society to the Ukrainian cause are the most visible signs of a repositioning of the country. There is hardly going to be a break with Moscow in a short time, but it is fair to expect that Kazakhstan will strengthen new commercial ties, not only with China (an already consolidated partner), but also with the European Union and international organizations such as the World Bank or the EBRD.
In recent months. Kazakh Invest (the government body dedicated to attracting investment) has announced new projects, multiplying its activity, focused decisively on countries of the European Union.
Due to its own location, Kazakhstan is destined to play a leading role also at a logistical level, offering new routes, both for access to Russia and for regular connections with China.
In conclusion, the current context seems extremely propitious to the entry of new companies in the Kazakh market, even without the possibility of using it as a bridge to enter Russia. In fact, Kazakhstan does not seem at all willing to help Moscow circumvent international sanctions.
A great ease: the EAC certification
We already said that companies that want to export to Uzbekistan have to comply with the country’s national regulations. In the case of Kazakhstan, besides the national regulation (GOST K or GOST ROK) there is the Eurasian Union’s regulation, EAC, which is predominant.
This is an important comparative advantage: the vast majority of products in series and intended for non-hazardous environments require an EAC Declaration of Conformity or an EAC Certificate of Conformity. It is the same certification required to export to Russia, that many companies already have. In addition, the requirements for obtaining are very well known, assuming the need to send samples for testing, when required by law.
GOST K or GOST ROK
As a general rule, products excluded from EAC regulations and subject to GOST R will also be subject to GOST K or GOST ROK (ROK means Republic of Kazakhstan). The range of applicability of this certification is extremely wide and the most common GOST K is the Fire safety Certificate, conceived in a very similar way to the Russian one.
Based on their validity, there are three types of GOST K certificates:
- Single contract
- With one year validity
- With three years of validity
Depending on the product, laboratory tests may be required for the three types, although for the first (single contract) it is usually possible to avoid them by submitting manufacturer’s technical documentation. The certificates with 1 and 3 years of validity require, in addition to the tests, an inspection and audit of the manufacturer.
Another very common GOST K is the Metrological, whose tests can be carried out either in the accredited laboratory or in the final customer’s facilities.
Download the GOST K logo
You can download the GOST K logo here:
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👉 Do you want to bid in Kazakhstan? Send us an email to [info@gost-standard.com] and we will quote you the costs of the certification 👈
