Mandatory marking of certain types of textiles takes effect on December 1, 2019
The requirement that stores and trade enterprises selling goods, which are subject to mandatory marking, must have an enhanced qualified electronic signature, connect to or upgrade their e-paperwork management system for exchanging information with suppliers, and get registered on the ÷åñòíûéçíàê. ðô website in the Unified Goods Authentication System took effect on December 1, 2019. It is also necessary to procure 2D scanners for all cashiers and to update the operating system of cash registers for using the DataMatrix code. Selling, possession or acquisition of unmarked goods with the intent to distribute are penalized with a fine of up to 300,000 rubles on legal entities, and such goods may be impounded.
Russian Government Directive No. 792-R dated 28.04.2018 specifies textile industry projects subject to mandatory marking. The document prescribes mandatory marking of the following categories of goods starting December 1, 2019:
- clothes made of genuine or composite leather, including work clothes;
- machine-knit and hand-knit shirts, blouses, and blousons for women and girls;
- men's, women's and children's coats, short coats, capes, raincoats, jackets (including ski jackets), windbreaker jackets, weatherproof jackets, and similar products;
- bed linen, table linen, bathroom linen, and kitchen linen.
A dialogue with textile industry representatives was maintained during the trial period. Almost 5,000 companies took part in the pilot project; 400,000 digital codes were generated, and goods sold in retail stores underwent comprehensive monitoring. The pilot project involved such companies as Faktor (Zolla brand), Malon Fashion Group (Beefree, ZARINA, and LOVE REPUBLIC), BNS Group (Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear, Michael Kors, and other brands), Detsky Mir, and some others.
“We launch mandatory marking of a broad range of goods on December 1. However, this does not mean that the selling of all goods, which will not be marked by December 1, will be prohibited. Acting together with market players and relevant agencies, we have agreed on the timeline for implementing the mandatory marking requirement. This period is based on the readiness of enterprises and the specifics of trade turnover and current business processes. Resolutions, which lay down the rules of goods marking, were drafted by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade together with relevant agencies, businesses and the system operator and submitted to the government,” Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said.
However, the business community and the textile industry generally appeared to be unprepared for the swift transition to the new production and logistics system.
According to head of the Association of Retail Companies’ Working Group on Goods Marking and Traceability Anna Orlova, “Market players have to understand that the shift to the marking of four defined categories of goods, which starts on December 1, 2019, will be smooth. First, everyone will need to register in the system and to start marking one’s goods, including products made earlier and new products, while the ban on selling unmarked goods will take effect much later. The decision regarding the adaptation period was discussed during pilot projects and coordinated with experiment participants, the regulator, and industry associations. It will reduce the burden on everyone and will allow them to calmly prepare for the mandatory requirement.”