Russian Antitrust Regulator Rejects Unified Retail Model

The Federal Antimonopoly Service has initiated a proposal to introduce a single electricity rate for members of gardening and vegetable-growing associations. The document has been submitted to the Bank of Russia for review. The standard aims to establish uniform rules for insurance companies and borrowers. It prohibits companies from pressuring clients during policy sales and defines specific grounds for denying payouts, including military actions, state seizures, and intentional acts by the policyholder. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is considering a project that would grant the agency the authority to approve a list of professions for internet access. The All-Russian movement 'Healthy Fatherland' has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to implement mandatory GOST standards for baby food. Currently, existing GOST standards are advisory, allowing manufacturers to produce goods based on their own technical specifications that are not verified by regulators. The organization seeks to ensure quality is no longer left solely to the discretion of producers. Maxim Shaskolsky, head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, stated that merging offline and online retail into a single model is unnecessary. Shaskolsky noted that such a change could disrupt the balance achieved in current retail legislation. The regulator intends to maintain existing trade regulations despite the evolving market. The decision follows discussions regarding the integration of traditional and digital commerce platforms.