The Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan has issued a new order (No. 284-NҚ, dated October 2, 2025) introducing significant amendments to the rules governing the National Catalogue of Goods and the registration of goods within it. The order, registered by the Ministry of Justice on October 3, 2025 (No. 37044), updates and restates in full the previous regulations approved by Order No. 232-NҚ of July 31, 2025. The new version will enter into force on January 1, 2026.
The revised rules represent a major step toward digitizing and unifying product information across Kazakhstan’s trade ecosystem.
By mandating the use of a centralized, government-administered catalogue and standardized identification system, the Ministry aims to enhance transparency, traceability, and regulatory efficiency in both commercial trade and public procurement from January 1, 2026 onward.
Purpose and Scope
The revised Rules for Maintaining the National Catalogue of Goods and Registering Goods in It were developed under Subparagraph 15-12) of Article 7 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Regulation of Trade Activities.”
The document defines the procedures for maintaining the National Catalogue of Goods, registering items, assigning standardized names and identification codes, and integrating the catalogue into Kazakhstan’s broader system of electronic government.
Key Definitions
The rules introduce and clarify several important terms:
- National Catalogue of Goods (NCG): A state information system serving as the national register of goods data, functioning as a unified reference source for trade activities.
- Global Trade Item Number (GTIN): The international product code assigned according to GS1 standards for the unique identification of goods.
- Identification Code: A machine-readable code (barcode) assigned to a product for its unambiguous identification throughout the trade cycle.
- Unified Operators:
- The Unified Operator for Labelling and Traceability of Goods is responsible for managing, maintaining, and verifying information within the catalogue.
- The Unified Operator for Public Procurement ensures access to the catalogue and its integration with state procurement systems.
Function of the National Catalogue
The National Catalogue serves as a centralized reference system for all trade participants — manufacturers, importers, and government bodies — enabling product traceability throughout its lifecycle: production, import, storage, transport, sale, and consumption.
It will be used in customs declarations, invoices, product certification, and fiscal systems (such as cash registers and electronic invoices).
Data and Registration Procedures
All goods entering Kazakhstan’s commercial turnover must be registered in the NCG if they are not already listed.
Information to be submitted includes:
- Product name, classification, brand, country of origin, and manufacturer;
- Dimensions, weight, and composition;
- Standardization and conformity documents;
- Product images and other relevant data per national standards (ST RK 3833).
Registration is carried out online through the National Catalogue’s web portal or via integrated information systems. Businesses must authenticate using an electronic digital signature (EDS).
Two methods of registration are available:
- Standard Application — individual submission through the online interface;
- File Template Upload — batch submission for large quantities of goods.
Applications undergo moderation (verification) by the Unified Operator for Labelling and Traceability within:
- 3 working days for ordinary commercial goods, or
- 10 working days for goods intended for public procurement.
If data are incomplete or inaccurate, applicants are notified and given deadlines (3 or 10 working days) to correct deficiencies.
Use of Identification Codes
Each product receives a unique identification code, ensuring that no two goods share the same code.
This code is used across all trade systems to maintain traceability, improve transparency, and facilitate compliance with safety and quality standards.
Updating and Archiving Data
Manufacturers or trademark owners may update product information such as packaging design or labelling, provided the changes do not affect product quality or safety.
Changes that alter product composition or key characteristics require new registration and a new identification code.
If a product is withdrawn from circulation, its catalogue entry is archived with the reason and date of deactivation recorded.
Integration and Technical Management
The National Catalogue will function in Kazakh and Russian and will be aligned with the Unified Classifier of Goods, Works, and Services (OKP).
Government agencies and private entities can integrate their IT systems with the NCG through the national e-government interoperability standards.
The Unified Operator for Public Procurement will ensure system reliability, development, and public access to information on registered goods, including country of origin, manufacturer, measurement unit, and libelling status.
Implementation and Oversight
The order assigns the Department of Digital Transformation and Goods Labelling of the Ministry of Trade and Integration to register the new regulation officially and publish it on the Ministry’s website following its official release.
Control over the execution of the order is vested in the supervising Vice Minister of Trade and Integration.