We’re talking to experts about how Belarusians can improve their quality and how the Soviet past helps us in this
The big improvement in quality became a symbolic first in 2024, the Year of Quality. ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO noted: our country can already be proud of its goods, but in order to compete with the best world producers, we will have to push harder. We are talking to experts about how Belarusians can improve their quality and how the Soviet past helps us in this.
Soviet-era base
The “Made in Belarus” brand in a number of industries is in itself a sign of quality, as many managers of the country’s largest enterprises note. Since Soviet times, we have developed the habit of doing everything conscientiously. In addition, we inherited GOST standards from the USSR: in 1992, it was decided to preserve them in order to continue mutual trade and production and cooperation ties in the post-Soviet space. Of course, those GOSTs have changed over the 30 years of Belarus’ sovereignty, but progress and market demands do not stand still. Over three decades, new components, technologies, raw materials and even industries have emerged. But Belarusian manufacturers have remained unchanged in their desire and opportunity to make their products better.
– Our enterprises have maintained the level of technical culture, respect for the standard and compliance with its requirements, value consumer trust, which is only strengthening in GOST and STB in product labeling. After all, the owner of the standard is the state, and in this case, not only safety, but also the quality of goods is guaranteed,” noted Valentin Tataritsky, chairman of the State Committee for Standardization.
By the way, back in the Soviet years, the products of our enterprises were marked with the USSR Quality Mark. For example, the MTZ-50 tractor.
– Our most popular tractor – 1 million 300 thousand of them were produced. It is unpretentious in maintenance and durable in operation. In 1970, he received the USSR Quality Mark, says Vitaly Vovk, General DIRECTOR of MINSK Tractor Plant OJSC.
Tractors of this model assembled in the Soviet years played a big role in the development of agriculture and the restoration of the entire economy as a whole. Many machines still work in farms and private households. The famous Svitanak factory, where knitted clothing is produced, was also awarded this badge of honor back in 1977.
– And we would like to repeat that experience: to be nominated for the Quality Mark of the Republic of Belarus! – noted Oksana Badun, Deputy Director for Production at Svitanak OJSC.
She assures that the factory is ready to vouch for high quality at any stage of production, because it is a full cycle: yarn, natural cotton fabrics are produced here and underwear and clothes are sewn from them.
– We sell our products ourselves: we have 94 retail stores in almost all regions of the country. There are retail outlets at VDNKh in Moscow and Smolensk. Recently, together with our partners, we opened a new one – in Grozny,” Oksana Badun drew attention.
Without hesitation, the HEAD of one of its brand stores, Maxim Urazov, would mark the products of Molodechnomebel CJSC with the Quality Mark. After all, furniture from Molodechno is bought in a number of countries of the former USSR and its high quality is noted as one of the main advantages over competitors’ products.
The "Milk Hotel" Municipal Unitary Enterprise is also ready to compete for the badge of honor as soon as it becomes possible.
“We will try to fulfill the dream of our veterans, who always strived to work impeccably, but simply did not have time to receive the USSR Quality Mark - the great country quickly collapsed,” said the director of the enterprise, Vladimir Rudnik, and noted that he completely agrees with the words of the President: “If we really to evaluate a product with the Quality Mark - this will be good for sales too!”
The list of nominees for the State Quality Mark has already been opened. Now, it would seem, it is enough for applicants to confirm that their products are worthy of such a high rating. But the President complicated the task:
– The product must be unique and competitive in international markets. We will not simply stamp the Quality Mark on the cab, hood or glass, otherwise we will disgrace the country.
Let us note that the head of state does not make impossible demands. In our country, at least several industries can provide a master class on creating unique and competitive products. And above all, the producers of the famous Belarusian MILK. It is not for nothing that our country is among the TOP 5 exporters.
Extra class white gold
How much time and effort has been invested in making dairy products an international brand of Belarus, said Maria Klimova, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Processing Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food:
“Since in our country the flagship of livestock farming is the dairy industry, the last 20 It took years to develop the raw material base and improve the quality of livestock raw materials. But now we can clearly track the entire production chain - from the beginning of the collection of raw materials to the sale of products. To bring the level of Belarusian dairy raw materials closer to the European level, an extra grade was introduced in 2007. By that time, our basic milk fat content had risen from 3.4% to 3.6%. In 2015, the second grade was canceled because it was no longer needed. All farms have reached a higher level of milk quality. As a result, now the share of the extra variety from Belarusian producers of dairy raw materials is about 70%, and together with the highest variety – 90%. At the same time, our requirements for the extra grade are the most stringent in the entire five EAEU countries. Maria Klimova also notes that in recent years, almost all milk processing enterprises have undergone modernization. Their premises contain the most modern technological lines. Everywhere there are closed production facilities, where manual labor is excluded and there are no so-called dirty zones. Only its employees enter each workshop using an electronic chip. No outsider can appear there. In addition, modern control systems have been introduced at all dairy processing enterprises. They are certified for sales to CHINA and EAC countries. By the way, our enterprises have passed accreditation and strict control of the EU , which also shows how high the technological level is in Belarus.
Despite the fact that Belarusian milk is already famous for its quality, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food plans to increase its level. Attention will also be focused on creating unique products and functional and healthy nutrition products that are in demand all over the world.
– We already prefer to enter foreign markets with products with high added value: we EXPORT small-piece goods, retail is happy to sell them, there is also a demand for them in the restaurant and hotel business. For example, we produce instant milk , packaged in 250–500 grams, which is 20–25% more expensive than regular milk powder. If you supply such products in industrial containers, others will earn money from packaging. Some domestic manufacturers package butter in portions of 10–15 grams. It sells with a bang at airports, railways, and the hotel business,” says the expert.
Maria Klimova clarifies that Belarus provides itself with dairy products by 267%, which means that we have a lot of surplus of such goods:
- They need to be sold, and efficiently. Many measures to modernize enterprises are aimed at this, and they are going strictly according to plan. To meet the demand for high-quality dairy products, surpluses need to be exported.
Standard approach
The tone for ensuring high quality products in our country has been set by the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus for more than 30 years. And he does it very professionally: often our national developments reach the international stage when STB receive GOST status.
– This allows us to promote our interests and set the bar for demands in the EAEU and CIS space. For example, the requirements for chocolate and chocolate products, which have become mandatory in the EAEU since July 2023, are based on the Belarusian standard. Our enterprises have been working according to it since 2012,” notes Alexander Skuratov, director of the Belarusian State Institute of Standardization and Certification. Our standards are so highly valued in other countries because in many areas they surpass even international ones. In particular, those related to the production of dairy, confectionery and other food products. – iso international standards in this area are mainly test methods to confirm the safety and quality of a product. Ours contain comprehensive requirements, including quality characteristics. These original developments help preserve the famous Belarusian quality. At the same time, product testing methods are harmonized with international ones,” notes Oksana Grishkevich, head of the technical regulation and standardization department of Gosstandart. A higher level of standards than in a number of other countries is set in Belarus for light industry. It seems that the standards take into account everything: requirements for raw materials, exposure to light, size changes after washing and much more that may be important for the buyer.
Despite the fact that Belarusian standards are already high, in 2024 some of them will set a new bar. A state standardization plan has recently been approved, the implementation of which should accelerate the solution of the tasks of the Year of Quality.
“The document covers 635 of the most pressing topics of the domestic economy and provides for proposals from enterprises in its most diverse industries, institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and other research institutions, and government bodies,” Oksana Grishkevich clarified.
In total, it is planned to develop 415 state standards and amendments to existing norms in various fields, including information technology, management systems, light and food industries. New developments are also expected for the implementation of the “Quality 2021 – 2025” program.
“As a result of the implementation of the plan, more than 250 state standards will be harmonized with international and European ones,” the expert noted.
What might the State Quality Mark look like?
The design of the State Quality Mark has not yet been approved, but the draft corresponding decree contains its description. According to the Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization Valentin Tataritsky, the Soviet Quality Mark was taken as a basis. In total, more than 20 options were developed, and five were selected for final discussion. Their concept is similar: the image is in the form of a pentagon known since Soviet times, but the details are different.
Applicants for the award of the State Quality Mark will be assessed according to several criteria: products must be of the same quality as the best global and domestic analogues, and the production itself must be safe, environmentally friendly, innovative, aesthetic and technologically advanced. It is already noted that the nominees will have to seriously compete for the new award - it is expected to have the highest status.
By the way, despite the careful selection, this does not mean that only large enterprises with a rich history will be able to take part in the competition. Young productions are also expected to be among the applicants. It is important that the mark is awarded to a specific product, and not to the entire enterprise or product line. It is planned that the first holders of the Quality Mark will be determined by the republican certification commission by the end of the year.
Our standards are highly valued in other countries because they surpass even international standards in many areas. In particular, those related to food production.
The “Made in Belarus” brand in a number of industries is in itself a sign of quality, as noted by many managers of the country’s largest enterprises.
Tamara MARKINA Photo BELTA
Soviet-era base
The “Made in Belarus” brand in a number of industries is in itself a sign of quality, as many managers of the country’s largest enterprises note. Since Soviet times, we have developed the habit of doing everything conscientiously. In addition, we inherited GOST standards from the USSR: in 1992, it was decided to preserve them in order to continue mutual trade and production and cooperation ties in the post-Soviet space. Of course, those GOSTs have changed over the 30 years of Belarus’ sovereignty, but progress and market demands do not stand still. Over three decades, new components, technologies, raw materials and even industries have emerged. But Belarusian manufacturers have remained unchanged in their desire and opportunity to make their products better.
– Our enterprises have maintained the level of technical culture, respect for the standard and compliance with its requirements, value consumer trust, which is only strengthening in GOST and STB in product labeling. After all, the owner of the standard is the state, and in this case, not only safety, but also the quality of goods is guaranteed,” noted Valentin Tataritsky, chairman of the State Committee for Standardization.
By the way, back in the Soviet years, the products of our enterprises were marked with the USSR Quality Mark. For example, the MTZ-50 tractor.
– Our most popular tractor – 1 million 300 thousand of them were produced. It is unpretentious in maintenance and durable in operation. In 1970, he received the USSR Quality Mark, says Vitaly Vovk, General DIRECTOR of MINSK Tractor Plant OJSC.
Tractors of this model assembled in the Soviet years played a big role in the development of agriculture and the restoration of the entire economy as a whole. Many machines still work in farms and private households. The famous Svitanak factory, where knitted clothing is produced, was also awarded this badge of honor back in 1977.
– And we would like to repeat that experience: to be nominated for the Quality Mark of the Republic of Belarus! – noted Oksana Badun, Deputy Director for Production at Svitanak OJSC.
She assures that the factory is ready to vouch for high quality at any stage of production, because it is a full cycle: yarn, natural cotton fabrics are produced here and underwear and clothes are sewn from them.
– We sell our products ourselves: we have 94 retail stores in almost all regions of the country. There are retail outlets at VDNKh in Moscow and Smolensk. Recently, together with our partners, we opened a new one – in Grozny,” Oksana Badun drew attention.
Without hesitation, the HEAD of one of its brand stores, Maxim Urazov, would mark the products of Molodechnomebel CJSC with the Quality Mark. After all, furniture from Molodechno is bought in a number of countries of the former USSR and its high quality is noted as one of the main advantages over competitors’ products.
The "Milk Hotel" Municipal Unitary Enterprise is also ready to compete for the badge of honor as soon as it becomes possible.
“We will try to fulfill the dream of our veterans, who always strived to work impeccably, but simply did not have time to receive the USSR Quality Mark - the great country quickly collapsed,” said the director of the enterprise, Vladimir Rudnik, and noted that he completely agrees with the words of the President: “If we really to evaluate a product with the Quality Mark - this will be good for sales too!”
The list of nominees for the State Quality Mark has already been opened. Now, it would seem, it is enough for applicants to confirm that their products are worthy of such a high rating. But the President complicated the task:
– The product must be unique and competitive in international markets. We will not simply stamp the Quality Mark on the cab, hood or glass, otherwise we will disgrace the country.
Let us note that the head of state does not make impossible demands. In our country, at least several industries can provide a master class on creating unique and competitive products. And above all, the producers of the famous Belarusian MILK. It is not for nothing that our country is among the TOP 5 exporters.
Extra class white gold
How much time and effort has been invested in making dairy products an international brand of Belarus, said Maria Klimova, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Processing Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food:
“Since in our country the flagship of livestock farming is the dairy industry, the last 20 It took years to develop the raw material base and improve the quality of livestock raw materials. But now we can clearly track the entire production chain - from the beginning of the collection of raw materials to the sale of products. To bring the level of Belarusian dairy raw materials closer to the European level, an extra grade was introduced in 2007. By that time, our basic milk fat content had risen from 3.4% to 3.6%. In 2015, the second grade was canceled because it was no longer needed. All farms have reached a higher level of milk quality. As a result, now the share of the extra variety from Belarusian producers of dairy raw materials is about 70%, and together with the highest variety – 90%. At the same time, our requirements for the extra grade are the most stringent in the entire five EAEU countries. Maria Klimova also notes that in recent years, almost all milk processing enterprises have undergone modernization. Their premises contain the most modern technological lines. Everywhere there are closed production facilities, where manual labor is excluded and there are no so-called dirty zones. Only its employees enter each workshop using an electronic chip. No outsider can appear there. In addition, modern control systems have been introduced at all dairy processing enterprises. They are certified for sales to CHINA and EAC countries. By the way, our enterprises have passed accreditation and strict control of the EU , which also shows how high the technological level is in Belarus.
Despite the fact that Belarusian milk is already famous for its quality, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food plans to increase its level. Attention will also be focused on creating unique products and functional and healthy nutrition products that are in demand all over the world.
– We already prefer to enter foreign markets with products with high added value: we EXPORT small-piece goods, retail is happy to sell them, there is also a demand for them in the restaurant and hotel business. For example, we produce instant milk , packaged in 250–500 grams, which is 20–25% more expensive than regular milk powder. If you supply such products in industrial containers, others will earn money from packaging. Some domestic manufacturers package butter in portions of 10–15 grams. It sells with a bang at airports, railways, and the hotel business,” says the expert.
Maria Klimova clarifies that Belarus provides itself with dairy products by 267%, which means that we have a lot of surplus of such goods:
- They need to be sold, and efficiently. Many measures to modernize enterprises are aimed at this, and they are going strictly according to plan. To meet the demand for high-quality dairy products, surpluses need to be exported.
Standard approach
The tone for ensuring high quality products in our country has been set by the State Committee for Standardization of the Republic of Belarus for more than 30 years. And he does it very professionally: often our national developments reach the international stage when STB receive GOST status.
– This allows us to promote our interests and set the bar for demands in the EAEU and CIS space. For example, the requirements for chocolate and chocolate products, which have become mandatory in the EAEU since July 2023, are based on the Belarusian standard. Our enterprises have been working according to it since 2012,” notes Alexander Skuratov, director of the Belarusian State Institute of Standardization and Certification. Our standards are so highly valued in other countries because in many areas they surpass even international ones. In particular, those related to the production of dairy, confectionery and other food products. – iso international standards in this area are mainly test methods to confirm the safety and quality of a product. Ours contain comprehensive requirements, including quality characteristics. These original developments help preserve the famous Belarusian quality. At the same time, product testing methods are harmonized with international ones,” notes Oksana Grishkevich, head of the technical regulation and standardization department of Gosstandart. A higher level of standards than in a number of other countries is set in Belarus for light industry. It seems that the standards take into account everything: requirements for raw materials, exposure to light, size changes after washing and much more that may be important for the buyer.
Despite the fact that Belarusian standards are already high, in 2024 some of them will set a new bar. A state standardization plan has recently been approved, the implementation of which should accelerate the solution of the tasks of the Year of Quality.
“The document covers 635 of the most pressing topics of the domestic economy and provides for proposals from enterprises in its most diverse industries, institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and other research institutions, and government bodies,” Oksana Grishkevich clarified.
In total, it is planned to develop 415 state standards and amendments to existing norms in various fields, including information technology, management systems, light and food industries. New developments are also expected for the implementation of the “Quality 2021 – 2025” program.
“As a result of the implementation of the plan, more than 250 state standards will be harmonized with international and European ones,” the expert noted.
What might the State Quality Mark look like?
The design of the State Quality Mark has not yet been approved, but the draft corresponding decree contains its description. According to the Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization Valentin Tataritsky, the Soviet Quality Mark was taken as a basis. In total, more than 20 options were developed, and five were selected for final discussion. Their concept is similar: the image is in the form of a pentagon known since Soviet times, but the details are different.
Applicants for the award of the State Quality Mark will be assessed according to several criteria: products must be of the same quality as the best global and domestic analogues, and the production itself must be safe, environmentally friendly, innovative, aesthetic and technologically advanced. It is already noted that the nominees will have to seriously compete for the new award - it is expected to have the highest status.
By the way, despite the careful selection, this does not mean that only large enterprises with a rich history will be able to take part in the competition. Young productions are also expected to be among the applicants. It is important that the mark is awarded to a specific product, and not to the entire enterprise or product line. It is planned that the first holders of the Quality Mark will be determined by the republican certification commission by the end of the year.
Our standards are highly valued in other countries because they surpass even international standards in many areas. In particular, those related to food production.
The “Made in Belarus” brand in a number of industries is in itself a sign of quality, as noted by many managers of the country’s largest enterprises.
Tamara MARKINA Photo BELTA