Market traders given 6-month delay

The authorities postponed the introduction of new rules for market traders.

It follows from the document received by the organisation Perspective from a deputy minister of economy. It confirms that the current certification procedures remain in force.

“The State Standartisation Committee says it didn't release any legal acts to change the rules of confirming the requirements of the Customs Union's technical regulations 017/2011 “On safety of light industry products” for sole traders paying the single tax on December 1, 2013.

The ministry says the Eurasian Economic Commission discusses two amendments to the technical regulations on safety of light industry products at the suggestion of Belarus.

“The certification and declaration of conformity of finished goods will be carried out on the ground of materials test certificates that will allow to reduce the applicant's expanses on conformity assessment. The compulsory certification will be replaced by the declaration of conformity for a number of products,” the reply of the Ministry of Economy says.

Belarusian deputy PM Piotr Prakapovich said at a meeting with representatives of business groups on November 15 that the transition period of simplified certification for market traders would end on December 1. However, this date wasn't mentioned in the final protocol. Businessmen didn't rule out the possibility of changes in the tax legislation that would affect them.

The uncertain situation made sole traders discuss a possible work stoppage due to a possible introduction of stricter rules of selling light industry products. Market traders in Barysau, Zhodzina and Rahachou didn't work on December 1, but most market sellers continued to work.

“We have stopped this mess for now. We managed to convince the government not to take the measures announced by deputy PM Prakapovich, namely compulsory certification for all starting December 1. We still have many problems, but all should know that we will win. We are struggling for the right thing. We are a part of society that the authorities cannot ignore,” market traders say.