‘Chamber Guys’ Uphold Verdict To Belarusian Language On Labels

The manufacturer is now free to choose in which language to provide the information about the goods.

The draft law “On Amendments and Additions to the Law of the Republic of Belarus On Protection of Consumers’ Rights”, which was reviewed yesterday in the “Chamber of Representatives”, upheld the rule that gives the manufacturer a choice of language in which to provide information about a product or service: Belarusian or Russian, nn.by reports.

As explained by a member of the Standing Committee on Housing Policy and Construction Natallia Zhybul, when preparing the draft, the “deputies” were guided by the position of the Belarusian manufacturers who claim that legally binding obligation to provide information about products, services and the Belarusian and Russian languages would entail a substantial rise in the cost of these goods and services.

The issue of the second state language being present on the packages was vigorously discussed in the parliament. In January, more than 200 appeals came to the "Chamber of Representatives," each containing one demand - to oblige manufacturers to write information on the packaging in both Russian and Belarusian. However, the business stood for keeping the existing norm.

- In this jar, the cost of the packaging materials is 40%, - first deputy chairman of the Belgospischeprom concern Ihar Shustau said, setting baby food as an example. - It is important that the composition should be legible here. It is important for a mother what to feed a child with. It’s the same story with sports nutrition, nutrition for diabetics, for pregnant women. In pure technical view (I love the Belarusian language) it will not be possible to produce this food with information in two languages. It will be illegible.

In reality, this means that the Belarusian language will disappear from most packages, as the standards of the Customs Union require the presence of the Russian language. At the same time, unlike Kazakhstan, the national legislation does not regulate the obligatory presence of the Belarusian language on the packaging. As a result, Belarusian producers somehow manage find a place for Kazakh, Ukrainian inscriptions, but they do not find a place for the Belarusian ones.