How Digital Labelling Protects Health and Improves Quality of Life

Uzbekistan is actively introducing a digital labelling system. It is becoming clear that this tool affects not only the economy but also the health of the population.

Currently six product groups must undergo mandatory digital labelling in Uzbekistan. These include alcoholic and tobacco products, household appliances, beer and brewing products, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, water and soft drinks. In early 2025 a voluntary labelling project for dietary supplements (DSs) was launched. From May 1 this year, agrochemicals will also be labelled on a pilot basis.

Quality Control and Safety

Digital labelling is more than a Data Matrix code on the packaging. It is a key to information that protects consumers and helps businesses operate with greater transparency. The system has been in place for several years and has proven effective against counterfeit goods and tax evasion.

Each unique labelling code contains information about the origin of the product, its manufacturer, production date, expiry date and other key characteristics. Consumers can scan the Data Matrix code using the Asl Belgisi mobile app to access reliable product data. This is crucial for categories like beverages and medicines, where quality and safety are vital for consumer health.

«Before the start of digital labelling, Uzbekistan had issued 33,000 registration certificates for medicines. In neighbouring countries that had already introduced labelling, such as the Russian Federation, the number of registered medicines did not exceed 16,000. Today, we have about 13,000 officially registered medicines. They are labelled. All the rest disappeared because they were illegal,» said Anatoliy Bachikalov, General Director of CRPT TURON.

The launch of the Asl Belgisi app in 2021 helped integrate digital labelling into everyday life. The app now has around 300,000 users. The system not only provides full product information but also fosters a consumer culture. People are increasingly interested in the origin, authenticity and suitability of what they buy.

The «Whitening» Effect

Protecting health and safety is only part of the goal. Digital labelling also helps formalise the economy.

In 2019, Uzbekistan’s shadow economy exceeded 50%. Today it stands at 34.8% and continues to decline. Digital labelling is one factor behind this positive trend. It makes every stage of product movement transparent, from the factory to shop shelves, minimising the risk of grey goods.

According to Sherzod Kudbiyev, Chairman of the State Tax Committee of Uzbekistan, budget revenues have increased significantly due to digital labelling. «The amount of tax paid into the budget at the end of 2024 rose sharply. It reached UZS 26.4 trillion, which is UZS 4.9 trillion more than last year,» said Kudbiev.

Dietary Supplements: Voluntary but Serious

This year, the list of labelled products expanded to include dietary supplements. The voluntary digital labelling project started on March 1, 2025. This segment is highly sensitive. The market is saturated, advertising is aggressive and clear control mechanisms had been lacking until recently.

Digital labelling addresses several challenges at once.

• Legality and content verification. Buyers can be sure that the product inside matches what the manufacturer claims and is not a cheap counterfeit.
• Building trust. Brands joining the voluntary scheme show openness and willingness to undergo checks.
• Business analytics. Manufacturers gain access to data on product movement, demand and logistics. This helps plan production better and optimise supply chains.

«This is a truly important step. We are ready to support the initiative because we sincerely hope it will help prevent counterfeit production within the country and illegal imports into Uzbekistan,» said Inara Shakhanova, Managing Partner of pharmaceutical company STM Holding.

A Systemic Transformation

Digital labelling in Uzbekistan is not only about fighting counterfeits. It is part of a systemic market transformation where safety, transparency and trust become priorities. The digital labelling of dietary supplements marks another step towards protecting buyers and giving businesses greater confidence.