The process of developing technical regulations of the Customs Union does not require acceleration - V. Koreshkov

July 31, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. The process of developing technical regulations of the Customs Union does not require acceleration. This opinion was expressed today to journalists by the Minister for Technical Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission Valery Koreshkov, answering a question from a BELTA correspondent. "The entire process of developing technical regulations of the Customs Union is based on international practice and the experience of countries that have already done this. This is serious work that requires thoughtful consideration," said Valery Koreshkov, emphasizing that this process does not need to be accelerated. "The main task now is not so much to find solutions quickly, but to find them qualitatively and competently, solutions that will move this process forward. Of course, we would like to create the foundation as quickly as possible – the entire legislative framework in terms of ensuring requirements for all technical regulations, interstate standards, and methodologies. There are many issues and problems. Discussions are ongoing among specialists to find optimal solutions to these issues that will comply with all international approaches. And we are looking for these solutions," the minister said. Valery Koreshkov also touched upon the changes made by the EEC Council to the regulation on the unified mark of product circulation in the market of the member states of the Customs Union. According to him, the regulation itself has not fundamentally changed; the changes have only affected a number of technical aspects related to the protection of the mark, its placement, etc. "The marking of products with the mark is actively underway. Suppliers and manufacturers are interested in this in terms of increasing the competitiveness of their products, as the marking confirms the compliance of their products with the requirements of the Customs Union's technical regulations," he added. A round table meeting on topical issues of implementing the technical regulations of the Customs Union is being held today in Vitebsk at the regional center for standardization, metrology, and certification. Representatives of the Eurasian Commission, the State Committee for Standardization of Belarus, and more than 70 enterprises of various forms of ownership in the region are participating in the event. The single economic space being formed within the framework of the Customs Union provides for the free movement of goods, capital, and labor in a market of almost 170 million people. The key condition for unimpeded product supplies in this market is the application of unified product requirements and rules for its access, which are established in the technical regulations of the Customs Union. The mandatory requirements established therein are aimed at ensuring the necessary level of safety for the life and health of citizens, property, and the environment, preventing actions that mislead consumers regarding the purpose of the product, as well as reducing technical barriers to trade and ensuring the free movement of products in the market of the Customs Union member states. A total of 31 technical regulations of the Customs Union have been adopted to date. In 2012, 8 technical regulations come into force. Seven of them are already in effect. From December 31, 2012, a technical regulation on automotive and aviation gasoline, diesel and marine fuel, jet fuel, and fuel oil will be introduced. In February 2013, a set of regulations concerning the safety of machinery, equipment for use in explosive atmospheres, low-voltage equipment, and the electromagnetic compatibility of technical means will come into force. -0-