Kazakhstan: Lace underwear ban sparks protests

[Brazen]

The authorities in Kazakhstan have detained several women protesting against a ban on lace underwear, it's been reported.

One of the seven women held at the demonstration in Almaty, was waving what she said was the last pair of lace knickers she had left, Vlast.kz website reports. Another demonstrator told Russia's independent Rain TV that local residents have been receiving messages on their phones urging them to stay at home.

Production, import and sale of lace underwear will stop in July 2014 in Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus under a Moscow-led Customs Union. Officials say lace does not absorb enough moisture. The regulation was approved back in 2011, but has not been enforced until now.

Recently, Kazakhstan has also seen protests against the falling value of the local currency, the tenge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-26227943



I can't see them getting away with it in Russia, where there's a huge market for luxury underwear among the nouveau riche.

[Brazen]

The full story from my friend's Lingerie title:

Lingerie retailers in the Eurasian Union may have to throw away most of their stock when a trade ban on synthetic lace underwear is enforced.

The production, import and sale of synthetic lace panties will be banned from July 1 within the Customs Union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, reports gazeta.ru.

The ban applies to underwear that does not reach a 6% threshold for moisture absorption, but moisture absorption in many of the most popular synthetic material mixtures for lace panties is reportedly only 3 to 3.6%.

Experts have said that means Russia's lingerie outlets will have to bin 90% of their stock if the law is not amended, reported the Telegraph.

The upcoming regulations have sparked protests in Kazakhstan, where seven women have been detained by police for walking the streets with knickers on their heads.

Authorities say the ban is aimed at protecting consumers from cheap materials that could have a negative impact on their health.

http://www.lingerieinsight.com/article-4682-russias-lace-lingerie-ban-sparks-protests/

[Sheilbh]

 

[CountDeMoney]

Authorities say the ban is aimed at protecting consumers from cheap materials that could have a negative impact on their health.

Yes, I can see where the threat of accidental strangulation and asphyxiation could be an issue with lace panties.

[Tamas]

 

[Syt]

Why do Russians need such a high baseline of underwear moisture absorption ... ?

[The Larch]

Well, the traditional Kazakh swimwear doesn't have lace, so it's safe. Protectionist move? 

[Valmy]

Why do Russians need such a high baseline of underwear moisture absorption ... ?

When it is that cold you just don't feel like taking your coat off sometimes I guess.

[MadImmortalMan]

I'd imagine the air isn't that humid in Kazakhstan though. The evaporation rate off the skin would be better.

[Neil]

Europeans make goofy regulations.  Film at 11.

[Jacob]

Europeans make goofy regulations.  Film at 11.

You consider Kazakhstan to be European?

[Valmy]

A small part of it is west of the Urals so....maybe.

I sometimes wondered if it might make a play for EU membership 

[sbr]

Spellus, do we want these people wearing lace undies or not?

[garbon]

Spellus, do we want these people wearing lace undies or not?

[DontSayBanana]

Spellus, do we want these people wearing lace undies or not?

khazaksgonewild.ru