Belarus

Standards

National standards organizations

Integration in the international standards network

The goods must bear the manufacturer's trademark as well as registration of the brand.
The Byelorussian consumer has the right to protect his own interest through the State. He has the right to get a reasonable quality and goods which satisfy the safety norms. He also has the right to be informed about the products and to receive the compensation in the case of damages.
In case of violation, Belarussians can appeal to the country's court of justice.

Classification of standards

Online consultation of standards

Certification organizations

Legal framework

Independence of justice

Judiciary in Belarus is not independent. Though the constitution of the country guarantees judicial independence, courts are subject to heavy government influence.

Equal treatment of nationals and foreigners

A foreign national cannot expect a free trial from the country's judicial system. Telephone tapping by state security agencies limits the right to privacy. A fairly high degree of corruption exists in the country.

The language of justice

Both Belarusian (also called White Russian) and Russian are the judicial languages used in the country.

Sources of the law and legal similarities

Belarus, a former constituent of USSR, attained independence in 1991. Though Belarus is a Republic state based on parliamentary democracy but actually it is dictatorship where President enjoys immense powers. Belarus (official name: Republic of Belarus) is an important transit route for Russian gas supplies to parts of Europe.
President is the chief of the state and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The President holds the executive powers. P rime Minister, deputy prime ministers and the Council of Ministers are appointed by the President.
The legislature in Belarus is bicameral. The parliament also called National Assembly consists of two chambers: Council of the Republic (the upper house) consisting of 64 seats out of which 56 members are elected by regional councils and 8 members appointed by the president, all for four-year terms; and the Chamber of Representatives (the lower house) consisting of 110 seats with all its members elected by universal adult suffrage to serve four-year terms. The people of Belarus have very limited political rights.
Judiciary in Belarus is not independent. Though the constitution of the country guarantees judicial independence, courts are subject to heavy government influence. The main source of the law is the Constitution of 1994 which has been revised couple of times mainly through referendums to broaden the powers of the President. The legal system in the country is based on the civil law system. Both Belarusian (also called White Russian) and Russian are the judicial languages used in the country.
Belarus is not ruled by law. An internal passport system is required for domestic travel and securing permanent housing, thus controlling freedom of movement and choice of residence. A foreign national cannot expect a free trial from the country's judicial system. Telephone tapping by state security agencies limits the right to privacy. A fairly high degree of corruption exists in the country.

Consulting national laws online

Intellectual Property

National organizations

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Byelorussia accepted to become a member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). Belarus is also a member of the Paris Convention, Madrid Arrangement, and also PCT (Patent Co-operation treaty). But there are still forgeries and piracy, and copies of CDs and video tapes are found in this country in spite of the existence of laws. The US-Byelorussian agreement contains a certain clause pertaining to the protection of intellectual property.
At the beginning of the year 1996, the European Patent Convention came into force. The members of this convention dealing with patents are as follows : Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldavia, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This convention covers inventions and industrial drawings and designs. Inventions are covered for a period of 20 years after registration and industrial drawings and designs for a period of 10 years.

Tax rates

Accounting rules

Tax year

The fiscal year begins on January 1st and ends on December 31 of the same year.

Accounting regulation bodies

Accounting reports

The Balance sheet must be published the first day following the end of the previous recording period.
- Assets :
1 - long-term capital
2 - fixed assets
3 - current assets
- Liabilities :
1 - sources of possessed capital
2 - long-term obligations
3 - credit and other obligations
The profit and loss account :
1 - financial result
2 - distribution of profits
3 - budget expenses
4 - overheads on out-budget expenses and other capital
5 - movement of financial resources for investments in capital or other financial investments.

Publication

There are no particular rules which require the annual publication of financial reports and their certification by a auditor.

Professional accountancy bodies

Certification and auditing

The controls of audit are compulsory for companies quoted in the stock exchange, joint-venture companies and foreign companies.

Accounting news

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