Uzbekistan is considering stricter penalties for the sale of expired products as part of efforts to strengthen consumer protection.

The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis has approved in its first reading a draft law aimed at combating the sale of expired goods, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

The development was announced by the press service of the lower house of parliament.

According to the authors of the bill, the proposed legislation is designed to safeguard public health and safety. The document envisages amendments to Article 178 of the Administrative Code, which regulates violations of competition and consumer protection laws.

If the bill is ultimately adopted, fines for accepting and selling expired products will be increased. The tougher penalties would also apply to goods lacking a production date or expiration date in cases where such information is legally required.

Under the current provisions of Article 178, individuals who accept for sale goods with an expired or unknown expiration date face fines ranging from 3 to 10 BRV, equivalent to 1.236 million to 4.12 million soums. For officials, the existing penalty ranges from 7 to 10 BRV, or between 2.884 million and 4.12 million soums. Goods found in violation of the regulations are subject to confiscation.

For repeat offenses committed within one year of the initial penalty, individuals can be fined between 5 and 10 BRV, equivalent to 2.06 million to 4.12 million soums. Officials found guilty of a repeated violation face fines of 10 to 20 BRV, or between 4.12 million and 8.24 million soums.