Kazakhstan Establishes Rules for EAEU Appraisers to Protect Consumer Rights

A new legislative initiative in Kazakhstan is setting clear rules for the operation of foreign appraisers from Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states, with a strong focus on protecting the rights of local consumers who use their services.

The draft law implements the "General Approaches to the Conditions for Carrying Out Appraisal Activities," which were approved by the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in December 2021. These guidelines mandate that each EAEU country align its national legislation on appraisal services accordingly.

A cornerstone of the new system is a publicly accessible register. An appraiser intending to work in another EAEU country must first notify their home country's competent authority—in Kazakhstan and Russia, these are the chambers of appraisers. The authority then enters the appraiser's details into a unified register, which is open and available across all member states.

This registry serves as a key tool for consumer protection. If a Kazakhstani client needs to hire an appraiser, they can consult this list before making a choice. More importantly, if a foreign appraiser violates Kazakhstani law while working in the country, information about the violation and any disciplinary measures taken—including suspension of their right to operate in Kazakhstan—will be recorded in this same register.

The draft law introduces several specific protective measures for Kazakhstani clients. The Committee of Internal State Audit under the Ministry of Finance will maintain a national registry of EAEU appraisers operating in Kazakhstan based on data from foreign chambers. Furthermore, Kazakhstani chambers of appraisers will be empowered to review complaints filed against appraisers from other EAEU countries.

Significant restrictions are also being introduced. Appraisers from other EAEU states will be prohibited from conducting property valuations in Kazakhstan related to state procurement contracts or services performed as part of governmental functions. Such work will be reserved exclusively for domestic Kazakhstani appraisers, mirroring similar restrictions expected in other EAEU nations.

The legislation mandates that all foreign EAEU appraisers working in Kazakhstan must fully comply with local laws and regulations concerning appraisal activities. This includes adhering to requirements for professional liability insurance under national terms.

To ensure accountability, when a foreign appraiser registers their intent to work in Kazakhstan, they must specify which chamber of appraisers will handle any complaints related to their activities within the country. Consequently, if a client has disputes over an appraisal result or suspects a violation of law, they have the right to file a complaint directly with that designated chamber for investigation and action.