Everyone Will Be Affected: Russia to Overhaul Marketplace Regulations by 2026
Starting in fall 2026, Russia's digital platforms will operate under a new legal regime. A sweeping law passed by the State Duma is set to reshape how online marketplaces function—offering better consumer protections and more transparency across the board.
Stronger seller verification and streamlined returns
The new law, titled "On Certain Aspects of Regulating the Platform Economy in the Russian Federation," introduces mandatory procedures for seller verification, dispute resolution, and content moderation.
It aims to protect consumers, stabilize the online market, and align Russia’s digital commerce practices with global norms. According to Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov, these updates are long overdue.
The Russian online retail market expanded by 37% in 2024 alone, reaching 11.3 trillion rubles and accounting for over 20% of the country’s retail sales. Sellers must now register via Russia’s ESIA platform or official registries. Listings for government-regulated goods must include certification links, and pages must note if purchases are eligible for government-issued digital certificates.
Stronger terms for vendors, better tools for buyers
Marketplaces must notify partners of contract changes 45 days in advance and announce discount campaigns five days prior to implementation.
New rules ban manipulated product sorting based on paid promotions. A pre-trial dispute resolution system is introduced. Violators may face fines of up to 500,000 rubles. Mandatory tech support for defective returns will also become standard.
Buyers benefit from simpler returns and safer transactions, while tax reporting for all sellers becomes automated.
Raising standards, fighting counterfeits
The legislation is seen as a first step in broader digital reform. It targets counterfeit goods, such as unlicensed supplements and children’s products. Transparent product labeling and higher standards could boost trust in Russian marketplaces.
The debate on digital platform regulation dates back to 2021. By 2024, President Putin endorsed tighter marketplace oversight, which led to the 2025 law adoption. While echoing the EU's Digital Markets Act, the Russian framework is tailored to national specifics and may enable Russian platforms to expand abroad.
A wider digital net: what’s next
The law comes with amendments to industry-specific codes, adding platform registry criteria, standards, and labeling protocols. Officials plan to monitor the system’s efficiency, from dispute resolution to product return cycles. Eventually, the regulation may extend beyond retail to tourism, logistics, and freelance marketplaces.
