From today, traders will publicly publish sales prices on websites

From today, traders are due to publish the products of their official websites on a daily basis. The obligation stems from the amendments to the Consumer Protection Act published in the Official Gazette on March 4, and the Ministry of Economy has prepared a Rulebook on the manner of publication of the prices of goods.

The Rulebook states that all small, medium and large retailers who are pursuing retail business in accordance with the National Classification of Activities has the duty to publish the prices of goods on its website in a clear and affordable manner, through a separate part of the trader’s website. Posted prices should be available without the need for registration or additional notice.

The price update should be done daily by 10am, and in the event of an unintentional technical error, the trader is obliged to correct the error within 24 hours.

If the merchant offers promotional or discounted prices, the website should indicate the regular price, percentage or amount of reduction, as well as the duration of the promotion or discount.

According to the authorities, this way of publishing sales prices will ensure transparency, greater competitiveness and price reductions.

– The amendments to the Law came into force on March 4 and it is foreseen within 45 days of the publication of the Law in the Official Gazette of each retailer and to announce the current sales price of the products. Under the law amendments and the rulebook prepared by the Ministry of Economy and Labor, traders starting on April 18 will have to publish prices on their website-Economy and Labor Minister Besar Durmishi said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Exemption from such a decision yesterday was asked by the Association of Private Pharmacies, according to which pharmacies should not be treated as ordinary traders.

– We want to emphasize that pharmacies are not classic retail facilities, but health care facilities at the level of primary health care, where licensed health staff, masters in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technicians work. Our basic role is to provide health care and pharmaceutical care for patients, by issuing and counseling for drug use, monitoring of therapy and education of citizens, not to trade in the classical sense – said Biljana Bozinovska, a member of the Executive Board of the Association of Private Pharmacies.

The amendments to the Law on Consumer Protection were adopted at the parliamentary session held on February 25. Croatia has passed a similar law.