CRO EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION URGES REGULATIONS ON ENTRY OF FOREIGN GOODS

ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) has suggested the adoption of by-laws related to standardisation and quality regulations which would regulate the entry of foreign goods into Croatia, the HUP said in a statement Tuesday. This proposal was prompted by the Interior Ministry's regulation under which oil transport in Croatia is allowed only via pipelines and by rail, sea and river. This regulation is common in the world and represents only one in a thousand of regulations which result in the setting of standards, quality control and the regulation of trade in goods and services, and whose purpose is to protect the national economy, the HUP said. The amended regulations on the transport of dangerous substances by road were published in the National Gazette at the beginning of the year, and will go into force on Wednesday, January 16. Slovene officials have said the measures are contrary to the accepted inter-state agreements, which are binding for Croatia, as well as to the principles of good neighbourly relations. Bosnian officials have objected that the regulations refer only to oil transit but do not include oil purchased in Croatia and accused the Croatian oil company INA of wanting to monopolise the Bosnian market. (hina) sb np