The new legislation, set to take effect on October 1, 2026, outlines a regulatory framework for digital platforms in Russia. The government is continuing discussions with industry stakeholders to draft subordinate regulations.
The State Duma of the Russian Federation has adopted a new law regulating the platform economy, approving it in both the second and third readings, according to an official announcement on the lower chamber’s website.
The legislation introduces key definitions such as “platform economy,” “digital platform,” and “intermediary digital platform” (IDP). A government-authorized federal executive body will be responsible for maintaining a registry of these IDPs.
The law prohibits the placement of product listings on IDPs that include information about the sale of unregistered pharmaceuticals, medical devices, pesticides, or agrochemicals. The government is also granted authority to set additional requirements for product listings.
Further provisions of the law regulate the offering of product discounts and establish rules for search result rankings. To ensure regulatory compliance, the law mandates data sharing between IDP operators and tax authorities and introduces state oversight of platform-based economic activities, according to the State Duma press service.
As Forbes reports, the government is working closely with industry representatives to develop eight subordinate legal acts necessary for the law’s implementation. These will include rules for maintaining the IDP registry and procedures for verifying product listing information.
During the bill’s review, amendments were made to clarify the ban on discriminatory access to platforms and refine product listing requirements. The government confirmed that post-signing consultations with industry stakeholders and relevant agencies will continue.
Earlier in July, Vedomosti reported that major business associations had voiced concerns in letters to the authorities, criticizing the exclusion of several proposals previously supported in working groups from the final version of the law.
Source: Forbes
