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Eurasian Economic Commission passes fair trade business practice criteria

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MOSCOW, 12 January (BelTA) – The Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission approved recommendations, which include principles and criteria of fair business practices with regard to retail trade consumers, including digital trade, on 12 January, BelTA has learned.

The document was adopted as part of the implementation of the strategy on advancing Eurasian integration in the period till 2025. The private sector can use the recommendations as the foundation for working out responsible and consumer-oriented business rules.

The fair business principles include keeping the interests of the sides balanced and preventing damage to interests of consumers; equal and non-discriminatory customer service; true and timely provision of information about goods and the seller and the provision of accessible information for consumers; the minimization of risks to health or property of consumers. Businesses are also discouraged from using the advantages of their status against consumers and encouraged to protect personal data of consumers, enable consumers to freely protect their civil rights. Digital retailers are also encouraged to ensure the observance of rights and legal interests of consumers on par with other forms of trade.

Businesses are not allowed to unilaterally change terms of the purchase contract or the price for the product, limit the consumer’s right to exchange or return the product that has been sold online or the product that has been sold as part of a promotional campaign. Businesses are discouraged from using aggressive advertising and similar practices. The incorporation of such conditions into the legislation of the Eurasian Economic Union member states will improve the level of protection of consumer rights and will harmonize the national legislation in this sphere.

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