Nepal, Kathmandu, December 6, 2024 – The 11th annual regional forum on sustainable agricultural mechanization in the Asia-Pacific region – ANTAM, held this week, was dedicated to the development of modern technologies and practices aimed at increasing the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. The event was attended by more than 50 experts, representatives of scientific institutions, agro-industrial companies and government organizations from 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The delegation of the Russian Federation was headed by the Deputy Director General of the Russian Standardization Institute Alexey Ivanov.
Key topic of discussion was the development of agricultural machinery using standardization tools, as well as mutual recognition of agricultural machinery testing by countries in the region. Participants shared their experience in developing and implementing innovative agricultural machinery. Discussion was organized on increasing productivity and reducing environmental impact.
Alexey Ivanov presented a report on the status and organization of standardization work in the field of agricultural machinery. Thus, in the period from 2023 to 2024, GOST R carried out expert work to expand and increase the activity of the Russian Federation in ANTAM. In April 2024, the GOST R delegation took part in the events of the UNESCAP Committee on Trade, Investment, Enterprise and Business Innovation. The key topic of discussion at the event was the development of an agreement on mutual recognition of agricultural machinery test results, the basis of which was a deep understanding of the requirements of standards applied in the participating countries, as well as the specifics of conformity assessment procedures. Based on the results of the study, an analytical material was formed "Research on the possibility of developing regional agreement on mutual recognition of agricultural machinery tests to expand trade in safe and efficient machinery" which included the experience of the Russian Federation, Euro-Asian Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification (EASC).
"Ensuring the quality of agricultural machinery through testing standards is the basis for solving the problem of using inefficient machinery, which remains a major cause of food loss, operator injuries and environmental degradation. Standards are also aimed at supporting developing countries with limited testing capabilities and will improve regional trade in quality machinery through further mutual recognition of test results," emphasized Alexey Ivanov.
Following the event, the participants noted the need to simplify trade procedures using standards and mutual recognition of agricultural machinery testing.
It should be noted that since 2023, GOST R representatives have been actively participating in the work of the Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM) as part of UNESCAP.
