Azerbaijan
AZS certification system: main approval procedures, timing and marking requirements. What you should know in order to start exporting your products to Azerbaijan.
The Republic of Azerbaijan is not yet a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), but it is steadily moving toward accession.
The Azerbaijan Standardization Institute (AZSTAND) provides documents on standards, technical requirements, and conformity assessment procedures. According to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan (April 16, 1996) “On Standardization,” Azerbaijani state standards contain both mandatory and recommendatory requirements.
Currently, more than 20,000 interstate and 966 national standards are registered in the national regulatory fund. Overall, 45% of Azerbaijan’s standards are harmonized with European and international standards.
Products Requiring Certification
The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan annually reviews and approves the official list of goods subject to certification. This list includes around 120 product categories such as:
- Children’s clothing, shoes, and toys
- Swimming accessories
- Detergents, bleaches, and cleaning products
- Low-voltage electrical equipment
- Trailers and semi-trailers
- Medical equipment
- Cars and motorcycles
Telecommunication and radio equipment must undergo mandatory certification as TELECOM appliances, in addition to standard safety approvals (e.g., EMC, LVD).
Certification in Azerbaijan is conducted in the Azerbaijani language. Accredited certification bodies and laboratories must be registered as legal entities and remain fully independent, both administratively and financially, to prevent conflicts of interest or external influence.
Marking
Azerbaijan uses a national conformity mark (see Figure 1), which is legally protected under the country’s legislation and must appear on certified products.
Figure 1. National conformity mark used in Azerbaijan’s certification system.
According to national safety requirements for life, health, property, and environmental protection, all products, processes, and services must undergo mandatory certification. When signing import agreements for goods intended for use in Azerbaijan, it is necessary to provide a certificate of conformity. This certificate must confirm product safety and be recognized by the national certification agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Validity
Certificates and licenses issued under Azerbaijan’s certification system are valid for up to 3 years.
Labeling rules are determined by legislation and mandatory national standards. The general requirement is that all labels and instructions must be in Azerbaijani, and measurement information must follow the metric system.