RS Government enacts Decree on immediate price control measures

(Patria) - The Republic of Srpska today enacts the Decree on prescribing immediate price control measures, adopted by the Government of the Republic of Srpska as a temporary measure to prevent market disruptions related to the supply of goods, caused by the spread of coronavirus.

The Decree stipulates the limitation of margins for all participants in the supply chain of goods or products, so that they do not exceed the level of margins for those goods or products recorded on March 5, 2020, it was announced by the Ministry of Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Srpska.

Penalties for violators of the Decree, depending on whether they are entrepreneurs, business companies, or responsible persons in business companies, range from 5,000 KM to 10,000 KM, the ministry points out.

The margin limitation applies to all types of flour and bread, pastries and all other bakery products made from flour and grains, milk and dairy products, eggs and egg products, sugar, tea, spices, salt for human consumption, rice, pasta, all types of fresh meat and meat products, fish and fish products, canned meat and fish, drinking water, fruits and vegetables.

The margin limitation also applies to all types of non-carbonated juices, vinegar, edible oil, lard, butter, ghee and margarine, infant formulas and follow-on formulas, then to processed foods based on cereals and baby food for infants and young children, dietary supplements, food for special medical purposes, food suitable for people intolerant to gluten.

The Decree applies to disposable diapers for children and adults, sanitary napkins, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, soap, disinfectants for water, premises and hands, including concentrated alcohol, agents for maintaining the hygiene of items and premises, toilet paper, toothpaste, protective suits and other protective and medical clothing and footwear, protective goggles and visors, protective gloves, protective shoe covers.

The margin limitation also applies to surgical protective masks, plastic masks with textile filters, paper masks, FFP2 and FFP3 protective masks, bedding and other linen for the healthcare system, bleach and other disinfectants, asepsol, medical alcohol, all types of seeds and planting material, plant protection products, animal feed and components for animal feed, and artificial fertilizers.

Inspection supervision over the application of the Decree will be carried out by the Administration for Inspection Affairs of the RS through market inspectors and market inspectors in local self-government units.