In 2020, the Uzbek government published Decree 737, mandating serialization for tobacco, alcohol, soft drinks, and pharmaceutical products. For medicines, the Central Asian country with approximately 38 million inhabitants planned a six-month pilot phase, which was scheduled to start on June 1, 2021. The first serialization deadline was September 1, 2022. Three more deadlines followed, as the government opted for a phased implementation. In this article, you will find the timeline, recent changes, and all essential details regarding pharmaceutical serialization in Uzbekistan.
Designation: Decree PKM-737
Responsible Authority: CRPT-Turon (Center for Research in Perspective Technologies)
Products: Medicines, tobacco products, alcohol, household appliances, medical devices, water, and soft drinks
Code Type: DataMatrix
Aggregation: Mandatory
Code Requirements
The system for serialization in Uzbekistan is called ASL BELGISI and is managed by CRPT-Turon (National Information System for Digital Labeling). The serialization code is based on the international GS1 standard. In addition to the GTIN, three additional security features are required:
- 14-digit product code in the form of GTIN
- 13-digit random serial number generated by CRPT-Turon or a supply chain participant
- A four-digit verification key generated by CRPT-Turon
- 44-digit crypto code, also generated by CRPT-Turon
Since aggregation is mandatory in Uzbekistan, there are also specific requirements for aggregation codes:
- GS1-128 code
- Product code
- Batch number
- Expiration date
- GS1-SSCC, which can be applied as a separate barcode
Implementation Timeline
To allow manufacturers and authorities sufficient time to adapt, the serialization of medicines and medical devices was divided into four groups based on product type. There are separate deadlines for serialization and aggregation:
| Product Type | Deadline Serialization | Deadline Aggregation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Medicines with secondary (outer) packaging (except orphan drugs) | September 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 |
| Group 2 | Medicines with primary (inner) packaging (if no secondary packaging exists) (except orphan drugs) | November 1, 2022 | August 1, 2023 |
| Group 3 | – Medicines and medical devices for orphan diseases (as per the Ministry of Health list) – Medicines listed in the register of drugs with foreign approva | March 1, 2023 | December 1, 2023 |
| Group 4 | Medical devices as defined by the Ministry of Health | February 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025 |
Additionally, there was a transition period for labeling implementation: domestically produced goods had a 90-day grace period, while imported goods had 180 days.
Connection to the Russian Track & Trace System
The serialization system of Uzbekistan shows a clear economic link to Russia. The requirements for medicines in Uzbekistan and Russia share significant similarities. Both countries have centralized serialization systems managed by CRPT or CRPT-Turon. The Russian system is called Chestny ZNAK, while the Uzbek system is ASL BELGISI. Like other former USSR states, both use a cryptographic code with identical specifications. This code must be requested by manufacturers, importers, and other stakeholders and is generated by CRPT. The types of products subject to serialization beyond medicines are also very similar. To ensure transparency and patient safety, both Chestny ZNAK and ASL BELGISI offer a publicly accessible app that allows end consumers to track purchased products along the supply chain.
Recent Changes
CRPT-Turon has announced an adjustment to the serial number format. Starting December 1, 2025, the first character of every serial number must be “7” instead of the previously used “U.” Until this date, serial numbers starting with any character can still be used to request cryptographic codes. Afterward, the system will only accept numbers starting with “7.” Already downloaded codes remain valid and can still be used for import and market distribution. Companies can add the “7” manually, or the CRPT system will automatically add the leading digit if the serial number is 12 digits long. Further details on these changes can be found in CRPT-Turon’s official release documentation.