Russia: Regulations on mandatory identification marking of clothing and textile

 1. Draft procedure for identification marking of clothing and textile

As of 1 July 2020, the Russian Government is planning to make identification marking of textiles and clothing (“light industry” goods) mandatory for all importers and manufacturers.

Draft procedure for the mandatory identification marking of light industry goods was published on 23 September 2019.

Mandatory identification marking is to apply to products listed by Decree No. 792-r dated 28 April 2018. The list includes leather clothing, blouses (jersey or knitted), coats, jackets, etc.

If the Procedure is adopted, light industry market participants (i.e. manufacturers, sellers and importers) would have to register themselves in the State Information Monitoring System from 1 December 2019 until 31 March 2020 or after 31 March 2020 within 7 days from the day they start participating in the Russian market of light industry products.

After registering themselves in the System, the relevant market participants would have to ensure they have available all technical devices and software required for interacting with the System and to test such interaction with the System. They would also be required to request a remote access to the emission registration device.

Light industry (textiles and clothing) market participants have the right to place identification marking on their products (labels or packaging) as of 1 April 2020.  It is important to note that identification marking would become mandatory as of 1 July 2020.

If, at 1 July 2020, any market participants have any unsold light industry goods that were put into circulation before July 1, 2020, such market participants are required to ensure that, by 1 August 2020, these goods are marked with the required identification marks. Such market participants would also be required to provide information on the labelling of such light industry products with identification marks to the State Information Monitoring System.

For any products that were purchased before 1 July 2020 but imported into the Russian Federation after 1 July 2020, the relevant market participants must provide information to the State Information Monitoring System on the labelling of such products with identification marks.

2. Methodical recommendations for the participants of the experiment on identification marking of clothing and textile products

The experiment is conducted in Russia from June 27 to November 30 2019 in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of June 22, 2019 N 790 (i.e. the Decree on the experimental identification marking of light industry products).

The purpose of the experiment is, inter alia, testing the completeness and sufficiency of labelling mechanisms by means of identification of some categories of light industry products and to ensure prevention of their illegal importation, production and turnover, as well as ensuring full collection of payable customs and tax payments.

The adopted Recommendations establish:

  • the procedure for marking by means of identification of some categories of light industry products, such as garments, including work clothes made of genuine or composite leather, and some other categories;
  • the procedure for the participants of the experiment for the submission of information on the circulation of goods to the operator of the State Information Monitoring System of the circulation of goods to be marked with identification marks;
  • characteristics and properties of product identification means;
  • requirements for the technical means used by the experiment participants and for the participants of the experiment receiving technical means and devices from the operator;
  • the procedure for the interaction of the monitoring information system with state information systems and information systems of experiment participants.