The antitrust agency counts on self-regulation of companies and voluntary elimination of violations.
The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia recognized online retailers Wildberries and Ozon as occupying a dominant position in the online retail market, which will allow them to apply stricter antimonopoly regulation measures to them, Interfax reported. At the same time, under the moratorium on inspections of IT companies, the service expects them to voluntarily eliminate violations, Head of FAS Maxim Shaskolsky said on Wednesday.
“In December, we completed an analysis of the state of competition in this market and, naturally, established the collective dominant position of Wildberries and Ozon - together they occupy about 80% of the market. Yes, Resolution 448 is now in force (introduces a moratorium on inspections of IT companies) , and in order to avoid further negative consequences, we are working with companies to voluntarily eliminate violations - we study practices, send letters, hold meetings. The result of joint work should be the voluntary elimination of violations,"
he said at a meeting with representatives of the Association of Corporate Lawyers (OKUR), marketplaces and copyright holders.
The FAS has repeatedly advocated for the exclusion of marketplaces from the scope of government decree No. 448, adopted in 2022 and introducing a moratorium on scheduled inspections of Russian information technology companies until the end of 2024.
Shaskolsky noted that the service constantly receives “quite a lot of complaints from consumers and SMEs about the work of marketplaces.” “Most often they complain about inflated logistics costs, the imposition of unfavorable conditions, and the imposition of fines,” the official said.
The Head of the FAS added that as a result of joint work, companies must voluntarily eliminate identified violations.
In December 2023, the FAS announced plans, together with representatives of OKUR, marketplaces and copyright holders, to publish a “White Book”. It is based on successful practices in interaction between participants in the e-commerce market and protecting the interests of bona fide copyright holders. A document consolidating such practices was developed in July 2023. These data can be used as a guide when filing complaints about counterfeit goods.
