Excessive requirements for signboards may be abolished

The procedure for placing outdoor advertising is being revised in favor of entrepreneurs. This was reported by the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights.

According to the report, the committee has drafted a Cabinet of Ministers resolution approving the regulation “On the Regulation of Outdoor Signage,” which sets out procedures for the systematic regulation of outdoor information media, the installation and use of outdoor signs, and control over their placement.

The document clarifies certain processes and concepts that have caused various disputes in practice and are considered gaps in legislation.

In particular, clear definitions are being introduced for such terms as “outdoor information medium,” “outdoor sign,” “information indicator,” “signboard,” “announcement” and “information board.”

Under the draft, “outdoor information media” and “outdoor signs” are considered non-commercial information tools directed at the external environment and not of an advertising nature. It will not be permitted to install or use outdoor information media by placing advertising or commercial information or images on them.

Signboards at trade, catering and household service facilities will be considered information about the type of activity of the establishment, including its name and specialization. These may include signs such as pharmacy, barbershop, petrol station, national cuisine, supermarket, hospital, grocery store, or construction and household goods store. Such signboards will not be considered outdoor advertising objects, and obtaining an advertising location passport will not be required.

This means that information placed on the exterior of a building occupied by a business entity, at the entrance to the building, about the business itself and its type of activity or specialization, as well as information about the entrepreneur’s products displayed in the shop window, will not be considered advertising. Therefore, obtaining the relevant permits and making payments for such signage will not be required.

For reference, advertising is defined as special information intended to attract attention to an advertising object, generate or maintain interest in it, and promote it in the market for the direct or indirect purpose of making a profit.

The committee, in turn, exercises state control over the content of advertising and its compliance with advertising legislation.

“The Competition Committee calls on all legal entities and business entities in the country, operating companies and organizations, as well as civil society institutions and members of the wider public, to actively participate in the discussion of this draft. Every proposal received will be studied and will help further improve the draft,” the report said.

The public discussion of the draft began on April 25 and will continue until May 10.

Earlier, on May 5, during a presentation reviewed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on stabilizing the activities of manufacturing enterprises and resolving issues concerning entrepreneurs, it was announced that Uzbekistan may abolish the requirement to issue relevant passports for information placed on buildings about the name and type of activity of business entities.