MART checked more than 50 online stores and identified about 40 violations

March 4, MINSK . The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade checked more than 50 online stores and identified about 40 violations, the MART press service told BELTA.

"In order to intensify control over compliance by business entities with legal requirements when trading via the Internet, MART monitored more than 50 online stores. About 40 violations were identified. Business entities that committed violations were sent 5 orders and 34 recommendations to eliminate them. They were notified that in If recommendations to eliminate violations identified during monitoring are not followed within the prescribed period, penalties may be applied in the manner prescribed by law,” the press service noted.

The main violation when selling goods via the Internet is non-compliance with the requirements of Resolution of the Council of Ministers of January 15, 2009 No. 31 “On approval of the Rules for the sale of goods during distance trading.” Thus, even before concluding a retail purchase and sale agreement, buyers must be provided with information about the full name and location of a legal entity or individual entrepreneur, their state registration, contact telephone numbers of employees of local executive and administrative bodies at the place of state registration of the seller authorized to consider applications buyers in accordance with the law, the date of inclusion of information about the online store in the trade register, terms of purchase and payment for goods, as well as methods of payment, delivery of goods, price and terms of payment for their delivery, and others. This rule was broken.

In addition, in violation of the Law “On Advertising,” an advertisement for an alcoholic drink containing an image of it and its consumer packaging was placed on the home page of certain online stores. However, the advertiser is not a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages. Therefore, this advertising is prohibited.

Also, in violation of the Law “On Advertising,” advertising of tobacco products, non-tobacco nicotine-containing products, and liquids for electronic smoking systems was distributed on the Internet resource of a business entity that was not the manufacturer and (or) importer of such goods.

“The work to suppress violations when selling goods via the Internet will continue. The issue of compliance by business entities with legislation on trade, consumer protection, advertising when selling goods via the Internet is included in the consolidated monitoring plan of the Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade,” the department summarized.