Техничка помош за изработка на трговски закони Project no. Technical Assistance to draft Trade Laws 02/MAC/01/06/001 An EU-funded Project managed by the European Agency for Reconstruction Consultant: Thalés E&C - Ghelber Law Firm

Facts Sheet on State market Inspectorate

This fact sheet aims to indicate some important information about the State Market Inspectorate. More detailed information on this institution and its activities can be obtained from the following websites: www.economy.gov.mk and www.libertas-institut.com/de/MK/DTL_MK.htm.

The State Market Inspectorate (SMI) is an institution in the framework of the Ministry of Economy that has been operating for more than50 years. It runs regional offices in , Stip, Strumica, and , and employs a total of 165 employees mostly inspectors.

The Market Inspectorate as a surveillance authority establishes its operation according the Law on Market Inspectorate (OG 35/97) governing jurisdiction and competence as well as particular laws and bylaws in the field of trade, catering, craft, free circulation of goods and services, consumer protection, and other matters. A Book of rules for Systematisation organisation of the Ministry of Economy not published in the official Gazette implies the general duties and organisation within the Ministry of Economy, and the special duties for the “Sector of Market Inspection”.

The SMI mission is consumer protection throughout regular surveillance monitoring of legal and other subjects and handle claims by citizens. Depending upon relevant deteriorations occurred there are cooperation with other state institutions in particular segments of economy. This cooperation means frequent contacts and joint controls carried out together with: Other Inspection Services, Customs Administration, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Culture.

Controls have been taking place on 11 customs points on DTL FACTS ABOUT THE SMI the quality of agricultural products and foodstuffs in the - So far the SMI has been involved in the both export and import. study missions organized by the DTL project.

- 5 inspectors have visited respective On the basis of the controls conducted the SMI is prepares institutions in Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic reports which are afterwards submitted to the Ministry. In and France where they got acquainted with EU Market this regard the SMI is providing statistical data on: Surveillance legislation, institutions and practices

and how to implement them in . 1. Number of carried out supervisions - DTL project has organized two workshops with 2. Decisions in administrative procedures special focus on the trade law and consumer protection. 3. Requests on initiating infringement procedure - More than 80 State market Inspectors attended the 4. Deprived goods rules violators. two workshops where the comparative experiences 5. Goods released from free circulation due to expired date of France, Germany, Austria and UK have been 6. Goods released from free circulation due to other bases presented as well. 7. On-the-spot fines - A third Study Mission with participants from the SMI 8. Claims and criminal charges by citizens is scheduled. 9. Criminal charges by the police

CONSUMER PROTECTION The operation of market surveillance authorities puts stress, in particular, to consumer protection.

Consumers usually report and achieve their rights to complain on purchased products or services in writing, in Skopje and Bitola on the open phone number 975 and free phone number 080011333 available throughout the whole territory. In the period of two months (25.7.2003 till 25.9.2003), the surveillance authorities received 284 claims.

Claims most frequently regard to illegal operation, not hanged up firm sign, or work time or non observance of work time, non issuing receipt for the sold products or services, circulation of expired date products, products without declaration or manual in official language writing, illegally placed stalls and etc.

C/o Ministry of Economy phone/fax:+389 (0)2 3093-528 Jurij Gagarin 15, 1000 Skopje e-mail: [email protected]