On July 05, 2013 the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patent of the Republic of Azerbaijan held a joint Conference on the “Reforms in the Technical Regulation and Standardization System of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Achievements, Priorities and Problems”.

Since 2007 USAID has been actively supporting the government of Azerbaijan, in particular, the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patent, with technical assistance from local and international experts to further develop the technical regulation and standardization system in the country.

The purpose of the conference was to provide participants with information on the standardization system in Azerbaijan; to discuss reforms undertaken and planned to bring the technical regulation and standardization system in line with international and European Union (EU) requirements; to examine the benefits and challenges of the reforms to the private sector; and to exchange views on all of these issues.

This conference is of particular importance at this moment as Azerbaijan is moving toward its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and closer integration with the EU. To become a WTO member, Azerbaijan has to bring its technical regulation, standardization, and conformity assessment system into compliance with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. A number of legislative reforms underway will be instrumental in helping create a quality and safety infrastructure in the country to ensure that products and services can be consistently delivered in line with international and best practices. Three draft laws have been prepared with the contribution of local and international experts from the USAID Azerbaijan Competitiveness and Trade Project (ACT). These draft laws are in different stages of the adoption process.

Mr. Namig Tagiev, Head of the Technical Regulation and Standardization Department of the State Committee on Standardization Metrology and Patent, stressed the importance of reforms and cooperation with the USAID ACT Project in undertaking the reforms needed for Azerbaijan’s conformity with WTO requirements. Ms. Aytan Gahramanova, a representative of USAID/Azerbaijan, remarked on the great need to keep relevant stakeholders informed about ongoing changes in the area of technical regulation and standardization, and the importance of an open dialogue on these and other reforms. She also noted the significance of the participation of the private sector in the conference, as the reforms in this field will have a direct impact on their activities.

Representatives from different government ministries and agencies as well as the private sector took part in the conference.