The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved new rules for trade services to the public. The document establishes clearer and more precise rules for trade and strengthens consumer protection, including in the area of online trade. The new rules will come into force after the end of martial law, when the updated consumer protection law will be fully implemented.

“When working on the updated rules for retail services, we tried to create a document that would meet modern requirements. The new rules will effectively protect consumer rights while promoting business development, fair and healthy competition, and preventing corruption risks. Much attention was paid to the issues of a barrier-free environment, ensuring unimpeded access for people with disabilities and other low-mobility groups to retail and catering establishments. We also took care to create appropriate working conditions for employees of retail outlets,” said Deputy Minister of Economy Tetiana Berezhna.

The updated rules contain both improved norms of the existing ones and new requirements – in particular, to ensure the accessibility of shops and catering establishments for people with disabilities. For example, there should be ramps, special parking spaces, and the opportunity to get help from the seller. Mobile retail outlets should not prevent people with disabilities and other people with limited mobility from having access to transport and other facilities.

Other rules:

• Expand the rights of consumers to receive information about goods and sellers in digital format. In particular, such information can be obtained by scanning a QR code on the consumer information board. If necessary, the customer can ask for information in paper form.
• Improve the organisation of trade and production in stores. For example, they provide for the availability of separate rooms or places for employees to store things in retail establishments.
• Clarify the requirements for the use of measuring instruments (scales, etc.), which must be accurate and comply with the requirements of the legislation on metrology and metrological activities.
• Define the requirements for companies engaged in online trading – they must have warehouses and sell goods through their agents or deliver them to customers. Online stores must provide full information about the product and the seller.
• Set clear regulations on wholesale trade, including through online stores.
• Prohibit the sale of goods that look like food but are not edible (e.g., fruit-shaped toys), as this can be dangerous, especially for children.