Inspectors mostly met with closed doors of retail outlets, those who disregarded regulations will be fined

(Patria) - The Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs (FUZIP), in cooperation and coordination with cantonal inspection bodies, yesterday ensured inspection coverage of all cantons in the FBiH, in order to control compliance with the provision on Sunday as a non-working day in accordance with the Law on Internal Trade, which came into force on November 14.

Federal and cantonal inspectors were mostly met with closed doors of retail outlets on the ground, confirming a high degree of voluntary compliance with the law by the controlled entities.

During the inspections, a small number of open retail outlets were found, for which misdemeanor warrants will be issued in accordance with Article 128 of the Law on Internal Trade.

During an inspection at a location in Mostar, where a violation of the imperative provision on Sunday as a non-working day was announced in advance, conducted by federal inspectors, several entities under supervision were found in violation, for which the acting inspectors will take measures prescribed by law.

"We emphasize that conducting inspections is not limited exclusively to Sunday, as a review of the documentation of supervised entities can determine any violation of the provision on Sunday as a non-working day even subsequently.

Inspectors will also continue to act based on citizens' reports, who through their engagement in informal supervision and social control by submitting reports to the competent authorities contribute to ensuring the legality of business entities' operations.

For all business entities - retail outlets that have disregarded the imperative provision from Article 18 of the Law, which prohibits the operation of retail outlets on Sundays, adequate measures will be taken in accordance with the Law," FUZIP stated.

The Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs continues to conduct inspections over compliance with the Law on Internal Trade, particularly regarding the imperative provisions of Article 18, which prescribe a ban on the operation of retail outlets on Sundays and public holidays.

We remind you that, in accordance with the Law on Internal Trade, retail outlets are closed on Sundays and public holidays, and the working hours are determined by the trader from Monday to Saturday, for a total duration of up to 90 hours per week, which the trader arranges independently (Article 18).

The trader is obliged to display the working hours, working hours on state holidays and non-working days, as well as the working hours of temporary trade operations, in a clear and visible manner at the retail outlet or point of sale, and to adhere to those working hours (Article 19).

If the trader fails to display and adhere to the established working hours at the retail outlet, the law prescribes fines from 2,000.00 KM to 15,000.00 KM for a legal entity trader, and from 500.00 KM to 1,500.00 KM for the responsible person in a legal entity, as well as for an individual trader (Article 128).

Exceptions to the application of this provision include: flower shops, bakeries, souvenir shops, traditional and old craft establishments, retail outlets located within or forming an integral part of railway and bus stations and airports, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, premises of cultural and religious facilities, museums and nature parks, cemeteries, and specialized stores related to sales at cemeteries.

The provision also does not apply to drugstores whose working hours are from 00:00 to 24:00 every day, as well as the purchase of primary agricultural products, the sale of own agricultural products at stands, tables, and booths in retail markets, the sale of own agricultural products at stands, tables, and booths outside retail markets, occasional sales organized as part of fairs, events, and exhibitions, sales through electronic stores, sales through vending machines, and sales at production facilities of family agricultural farms.

Exceptionally, upon the proposal of the city/municipal council, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina may adopt a decision determining that retail outlets on the territory of the city/municipality may be exempted, and the proposal is submitted to the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina via the Federal Ministry of Trade.

Inspection supervision over the application of this law and regulations adopted based on this law is carried out by federal market, tourism, and catering inspectors and cantonal, city, and municipal market inspectors, each within their jurisdiction, in accordance with the powers prescribed by this law and regulations governing inspection supervision (Article 120).

"We appeal to business entities to align their operations with positive regulations to avoid being subject to sanctions. We ask citizens to report observed irregularities in the operations of business entities via:

- the contact form 'Report Irregularity' on the FUZIP website (https://fuzip.gov.ba/prijavi-nepravilnost/);

- the reporting phone: 033 /226-644 (open 24 hours);

- email: [email protected];

- by mail, to the address Fehima ef. Čurčića no. 6, Sarajevo.