Serbian Quality Policy and the Road to a New Quality Infrastructure Strategy
Faculty of Organisational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Serbia
Quality has become a strategic factor for economic competitiveness, sustainable development, consumer protection, and institutional trust. In the Republic of Serbia, quality policy has evolved from a predominantly technical domain into a comprehensive societal framework that supports innovation, public administration reform, environmental sustainability, health protection, and integration into the European market. This broader understanding is reflected in the forthcoming Quality Infrastructure Development Strategy 2025–2030, which positions quality infrastructure (QI) as a key enabler of economic growth, social well-being, and alignment with the European Union. The Strategy is scheduled in the Government’s Action Plan for 2024–2027 (item 3.1.8), but it has not yet been adopted or published; this post therefore refers to the draft versions discussed in stakeholder workshops (Government of the Republic of Serbia, n.d.).
Quality infrastructure encompasses the institutions, procedures, resources and initiatives necessary for the development and implementation of standards, accreditation, metrology, certification, conformity assessment, testing, and inspection activities. Traditionally, the Serbian quality infrastructure system has been built upon the activities of the Institute for Standardization of Serbia, the Accreditation Body of Serbia, the Directorate of Measures and Precious Metals, conformity assessment bodies, testing laboratories, and certification organizations. However, contemporary quality policy recognizes that the benefits of quality infrastructure extend far beyond technical compliance and regulatory requirements.
The draft Strategy takes a systemic approach to quality by emphasizing its role in strengthening public trust, improving the efficiency of public administration, supporting innovation and competitiveness, facilitating market access, protecting consumers, and promoting sustainable development. It is also closely linked to Serbia’s European integration process, particularly in the area of free movement of goods, where an effective and internationally recognized quality infrastructure is essential.
Serbia’s position in the Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) gives this policy a measurable reference point (Mesopartner, n.d.). The Government’s Action Plan 2024–2027 includes Serbia’s rank on the GQII list as an indicator under item 3.1.8, with the Ministry of Internal and External Trade as the lead institution. The baseline is rank 37 in 2023, and the targets are rank 36 at the end of 2024 and 2025, and rank 35 at the end of 2026 and 2027 (Government of the Republic of Serbia, n.d.). The Action Plan thus treats quality infrastructure as an area where progress can be tracked internationally, and it places the Strategy, which is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, among the instruments meant to deliver it.
One of the key characteristics of the Strategy is its recognition that successful implementation requires the active involvement of a much broader range of stakeholders than those traditionally associated with quality infrastructure. Modern challenges related to quality, sustainability, digital transformation, environmental protection, and social responsibility cannot be addressed solely through hierarchical institutional structures. Instead, they require cooperation among government institutions, universities, research organizations, businesses, local governments, civil society organizations, professional associations, media representatives, and citizens.
The draft identifies numerous measures related to stakeholder cooperation, capacity building, visibility of quality infrastructure, regional cooperation, and monitoring of implementation. To support their implementation, the Network Organization for Quality Infrastructure, MOZAIK, was founded in November 2025. It is introduced in a companion post.
In conclusion, Serbia’s quality policy is entering a new phase characterized by a holistic understanding of quality as a driver of sustainable development, competitiveness, and public trust. Once adopted, the Quality Infrastructure Development Strategy 2025–2030 is intended to provide a strategic framework for this transformation, supporting the development of a modern, resilient, and internationally aligned quality infrastructure system capable of contributing to Serbia’s long-term economic and social development.
References
Government of the Republic of Serbia (n.d.). Action Plan for the Implementation of the Government Programme 2024–2027 (in Serbian; Strategy for the Development of Quality Infrastructure 2025–2030 and the GQII rank indicator listed under item 3.1.8). https://www.srbija.gov.rs/extfile/sr/847729/APSPV2024-2027.pdf
Mesopartner (n.d.). Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII). https://www.mesopartner.com/gqii
About the authors
Dr Jovan V. Filipović is Full Professor and Head of the Department of Quality Management and Standardization at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
Dr Jelena V. Ruso is an Assistant Professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Organisational Sciences (FON) in Serbia. She works within the Department of Quality Management and Standardisation.
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