Russia Proposes Expanding Mandatory Product Labeling From September 1

Rospotrebnadzor has developed a project for a mandatory product labeling system. The mechanism is designed to detect when a seller provides a buyer with goods that have expired. The labeling system is capable of reading and identifying when a seller is providing a consumer with a product that has an expired shelf life. Askar Rakhimberdiyev, CEO of the SEO-ERP service Moy Sklad, noted that while the system is well-established, external oversight of violations remains insufficient. He stated that market participants have learned to work with the system, but violations could potentially exceed 99% due to intentional actions rather than errors. New regulations effective May 1 require construction materials to carry 'Chestny Znak' marking in Russia. Experts warned that this mandatory labeling could lead to increased costs for these materials. The change is part of broader regulatory shifts occurring in the country. Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed expanding the list of products subject to mandatory labeling starting September 1. Forbes reviewed a letter from a "people's farmer" concerning this initiative. The expanded list would include vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, nuts, animal fats, fish and seafood, sausages, and semi-finished products.