On June, 17 the new order of trade in non-foodstuffs, which is already implemented, took effect in Belarus. In accordance with the ruling of the Council of Ministers №317 of March, 6 2006 non-foodstuffs may be sold only in the places concerted with the regional body of sanitary inspection.

According to the new rules, in every trading place where used articles are to be sold, one needs to establish special sections. Second-hand goods are to be subject to pre-selling care, namely, inspection, sorting on the basis of goods type, the degree of its wear and tear. It also should pass a quality (guiding by its appearance), capability and completeness test. A chemical cleaning, washing and pressing are conducted if necessary.

The major novelty of the rules is a new list of second-hand goods, which are not to be sold in retail in the territory of Belarus. These are the articles of personal hygiene, goods for the newly-born, the articles of woman’s toilet, bed linen, toys, perfume, hosiery, plastic utensils, gas equipment not inspected by the specialists of Belarusian gas service, animal skins without corresponding marking of the producer.

Besides, from now on all the information about the state of the goods, its defects included, is to be marked on its label or in other document. When technically advanced goods are traded, the buyer is to be granted a guarantee stub, which confirms the right of the buyer to benefit from the rest of the warranty period.