Monitoring of the Federal Legislation dated 26.10.2007

Federal Law No. 235-FZ of October 25, 2007 on the Ratification of the Consular Convention between the Russian Federation and Serbia and Montenegro

The Consular Convention between the Russian Federation and Serbia and Montenegro signed in Belgrade on November 7, 2005 is ratified.

Federal Law No. 234-FZ of October 25, 2007 on Amending the Law of the Russian Federation on Protecting Consumers' Rights and Part 2 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation

Given the consumer credit expansion, when a citizen gets a loan he must be informed about the sum of the loan, full repayment sum and repayment schedule. The buyers of hi-fi products have their rights expanded. The importer's liability for poor-quality goods is enhanced. The buyer's liability is established for a breach of the term for delivering a pre-paid product to the consumer. Consumers shall be notified of genetically-modified products contained in goods. The federal law enters into force upon the expiry of 45 days after the official publication thereof.

Federal Law No. 233-FZ of October 25, 2007 on Amending the Federal Law on the State Benefits Payable to the Citizens Having Children

The amendments are due to the annulment, effective January 1, 2008, of draft deferment in the event of pregnancy of the conscript's wife or if a conscript has a child under three years. New types of benefit are added, effective January 1, 2008 -- a monthly benefit for a child of a military serviceman undergoing military service on draft and a lump-sum benefit for the pregnant wife of a serviceman undergoing military service on draft. The law enters into force as of January 1, 2008, except for certain provisions.

Federal Law No. 232-FZ of October 24, 2007 on Amending Some Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation (in as Much as It Concerns Setting Higher Professional Education Levels)

A two-tier higher professional education system is established, each level being deemed independent and having specific standards and attestations producing a specific degree/qualification -- bachelor, master or specialist. It will take four years to become a bachelor, at least five years a specialist and two years a master. Depending on specialisation the term may vary. Only maters or specialists will have access to post-graduate studies. The federal law enters into force when officially published. From that time until September 1, 2009 education in higher educational institutions in bachelor, master and specialist curricula will take place by a decision of the institution's academic council according to approved state educational standards.

Federal Law No. 231-FZ of October 24, 2007 on Amending Article 1.1 of the Federal Law on the Days of Military Glory and the Commemorative Dates of Russia

Yet another date is included in the list of commemorative dates of Russia -- June 22 as Day of Memory and Sorrow. It refers to the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 699 of October 24, 2007 on Amending Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 866 of December 31, 2005

Amendments are made to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation on Marking Alcoholic Products with Excise Stamps to expand among other things businesses' obligations relating to the use of excise stamps and modify the rules effective in the field.

Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 698 of October 24, 2007 on Endorsing the Rates of Export Customs Duty on Certain Products

Zero rates of export customs duties temporarily set for tungsten ore and concentrates and also for certain types of chemicals will become applicable on a permanent basis. The decision enters into force upon the expiry of one month after the official publication thereof.

Order of the Federal Customs Service No. 1166 of September 20, 2007 on Endorsing the Sets of Forms "Form for Adjusting Customs Value and Customs Payments (KTS-1)", "Additional Sheet (KTS-2)" and the Instructions on the Procedure for Completing the Forms for Adjusting Customs Value and Customs Payments

In connection with the confirmation of new Instructions for Completing a Cargo Customs Declaration and a Transit Declaration new sets of forms and instructions for completing them have been elaborated. The order enters into force upon the expiry of 90 days after its official publication. Registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, registration No. 10336 of October 17, 2007.