Quality is the calling card of Belarus: how the state maintains this well-deserved reputation

World Quality Day, celebrated this year on November 12, is a landmark date for modern Belarus. In the midst of the five-year plan of quality, and this topic is given importance in all spheres of life. In fact, this is the scaling of the national brand “Made in Belarus”, which is based on tradition, hard work and technology – three important components of the foundation of the country’s development. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko:

- Quality is both the end result and the path. It is our primary resource, along with the hard work, intelligence and discipline that make us live in an independent country despite unprecedented pressure. Having started with solving the pressing issues of survival at the beginning of our journey, we are now on a trajectory of development. The development, I hope, is serious.

At the ceremony of presenting the symbols of the State Quality Mark, January 23, 2025.

In the Belarusian model of socially oriented economy, quality issues are considered primarily from the standpoint of people’s living standards. This message is also included in the Program of Social and Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2026-2030: The purpose of the program is the transition to a new quality of life for every Belarusian. Belarus should become a country with a developed digital industry and technological structure, its own breakthrough technologies. In particular, in 2030, it is planned to achieve the indicator of at least seven newborns per thousand people (in 2024 – 6.5), increase life expectancy at birth to 76.5 years (74.7 years in 2024), ensure a 15 percent share of youth in the list number of people working in public administration and local self-government bodies (in 2024 – 13.8 percent). Coverage of citizens 75 years and older, disabled persons with social services by the end of the five-year plan should be at least 25 percent, the level of security of employers in personnel - at least 97 percent, the level of provision of the population with housing, including rental housing - at least 33 "squares" per resident. At least 96 per cent of the population should be provided with centralized water supply and sanitation systems.

A strong and modern economy is also an important component of quality of life. Over the five-year period, it is planned to implement at least 25 major investment projects. Domestic spending on research and development in relation to GDP in 2030 will be at least 1% against 0.59% in 2024. The share of innovative and active organizations in the total number of surveyed organizations of the manufacturing industry will increase from 40 to 45 percent. The share of gross value added of the digital economy in GDP will increase from 6.1 percent in 2024 to 7.5 in 2030. Among the priority areas of work are also the growth of exports of goods and services, diversification of the country's foreign trade, increasing the level of energy independence, developing tools for financing technological development, etc. In an era of aggressive competition, the trend for quality is decisive. The national brand “Made in Belarus” is now represented by products in more than 150 countries. To make it even more recognizable, the State Quality Mark was established by the decree of the Head of State in 2024. It is awarded to food products, industrial goods for the population and production and technical products produced by legal entities of Belarus and relevant important quality indicators: safety, environmental friendliness, innovation, manufacturability, aesthetics. For two years, 29 products were awarded the badge of honor. Selection is the most severe, and therefore the reward is prestigious. The experience of our country, by the way, interested in neighboring countries. In particular, last summer Belarus presented the State Quality Mark at the 69th meeting of the Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification of the CIS.

“The labeling of goods with the State Quality Mark serves as the best reference point in the choice of products and evidence that Belarus is a country where quality is the most important priority,” Alexander Skuratov, Director of the Belarusian State Institute of Standardization and Certification, said at the presentation. Systematic development of all elements of the quality infrastructure has resulted in a new idea – to create a new unique standard guide in Belarus, affecting all areas of activity of enterprises for the production of quality products.

Draft practice-oriented state standard "Quality management system". Stages of the product life cycle. General requirements" have already been developed, notes Dmitry Basko, Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus: "The document will establish requirements for the processes of the life cycle of products of organizations of the machine building industry. At the same time, it is a handbook containing the best practices of Belarusian companies in this field. The standard is not limited only to the boundaries of the organization, but extends to its entire ecosystem: the supply chain of key nodes, components, parts, materials, including software.

A wide range of interested enterprises and organizations were involved in the work on the future document. It is planned that the final version of the draft standard guide will be prepared in November, and then, if it is approved, preparations for its adoption will follow.

AWARD IN ACTIVA

At the end of October, candidates for the victory in the competition for the Prize of the Government of the Republic of Belarus for achievements in the field of quality – 40 of them – were identified in the country. A sharp struggle is expected among organizations in the food sector, the service sector, including in the field of construction, as well as education. 25 organizations that became laureates in 2023, intend to confirm their title. The contest itself has been held since 1999.

PRIORITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BELARUS IN 2026-2030

♦ National demographic security - preservation of the population, strengthening the health of the nation and supporting the family.

♦ Development of human potential, quality education, education of a harmonious and patriotic personality.

♦ Creating a quality and comfortable environment for life.

♦ Increasing competitiveness, accelerating technological development and digital transformation.

Strong regions.

♦ Strengthening the defense capability of the state and the development of the defense sector of the economy.

• Realization of tourism potential.

STATE QUALITY MARK: NUMBERS AND FACTS

According to the results of 2024, the State Quality Mark in Belarus was awarded to seven food products, four industrial goods for the population and six types of production and technical products.

In 2025, the State Quality Mark was awarded to four food products, two industrial goods for the population and six products for industrial and technical purposes.

On assignment of the State mark of quality by the end of 2026 claims more than 260 products.