New regulations governing trade implemented from January 1

The contractual relations between suppliers and traders are established by signing a contract. The parties cannot oblige each other, directly or indirectly, to buy or sell products (services) from/to a third party. Related amendments to the Law on Home Trade came into force on January 1, Info-Prim Neo reports. The trader cannot collect from the supplier payments for services that are not included in the purchase price, like the extension of distribution networks and laying out of sale places, advertising. For its part, the supplier cannot oblige the trader to contribute to its marketing costs. But the regulations do not ban the supplier and the trader from voluntarily contributing to the marketing costs for promoting the products. However, the trader cannot impose the supplier to sell the product to other traders at a lower price, while the supplier cannot impose the trader to maintain a certain shelf price. The amendments made to Article 8 of the given Law prohibit the wholesalers from retailing products, except at retail outlets. They do not apply to producers of goods that have a mobile product distribution network, including trucks equipped with cash registers. The trading norms approved by the Government on December 8, 2011 also took effect on January 1. They oblige the retail outlets to sell the full range of products available at the storehouse. The sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to persons under 18 is prohibited. Earlier, the age limit was 16. The children younger than six are not allowed to enter self-service stores without being accompanied by grownups.