Legislation

The decree of the Government of the Estonian Republic

Passed January 29, 1996, Nr. 32 (RT I 1996, 8, 169)

Entered into force February 7, 1996

Basing on the article 18 of the Language Act the Government of the Estonian Republic decides:

To assert the Order of Using Foreign Languages for the Information Addressed to the Consumers of Services and Commodities and also Communication within the Official Duties (added).

The Prime-minister T. Vähi

The Minister of Education Y. Aaviksoo

The State Secretary U. Veering

I. General Provisions

1. This Order establishes rules about the usage of the foreign languages while informing foreign visitors of Estonia about the services and goods and also while getting in contact with the foreign citizens in the frame of official duties.

2. The amount and choice of the foreign languages (the mostly widespread foreign language, the language of the neighboring country) used for transmitting the information and for communication in the frame of official duties (par. 1) is decided by the Ministry competent in a particular field of activities.

3. The employer decides about the foreign language proficiency level of the employees whose work is connected with transmitting the information and with communication in the foreign language in the frame of their official duties (in cases brought down in the part 1 of the present Order) in the Employee's Duty Instruction.

II. Transmitting the Information at the Customs and while Crossing the State Border of the Estonian Republic

4. The information needed for passing the customs and border control and fulfillment of customs formalities must be translated into the foreign language.

5. To the text of customs, border and travel documents compiled in the Estonian language the translation into the foreign language can be attached.

6. At the airports, railway and bus stations, ports open for the international connections and other means of transport having international usage the information is submitted in Estonian as well as in the foreign language.

III. Transmitting the Information while Providing the Services

7. The translation to the foreign language can be added to the public information (signs, directories, announcements, price-lists, menus and catalogues) in the Estonian language used at the institutions providing tourist services, information bureaus and everyday services.

8. The commercial prospects and brochures offered in the institutions from part 7 of the present Order can be compiled in the foreign language.

9. The public information in the Estonian language used in the bank offices, insurance companies and medical service institutions can include translation into the foreign languages.

10. The information in the Estonian language used in the institutions of communications, post services and also the services of carrying the luggage and courier services can include translation into the foreign language.

IV. Transmitting the Information to the Consumers of Goods

11. The information on consuming, quality and safety of the exporting goods includes foreign language translations and the marking can be added with the words "Made in Estonia."

12. The price-lists, commercial brochures, goods catalogues and also other information about them can include the translation into the foreign language.

V. Transmitting the Information when Organizing International Events

13. When organizing the international events the usage of foreign languages is regulated by the event organizer.

14. During the international events referred to the public the organizer should provide translation of the reports into the Estonian language.

Source: Unofficial translation

http://www.minelres.lv/NationalLegislation/Estonia/Estonia_ConsumInfo_English.htm

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