The Association of “Russian Auto Dealers” (ROAD) has put forward a proposal to explore recognizing certain Chinese certification requirements for motor vehicles in Russia, a development reported by TASS through the comments of Alexei Podshchekoldin, who serves as vice-president of the PATH. The dialogue around certification equivalence pivots on making cross-border commerce smoother and faster, while still maintaining safety and environmental standards that matter to Russian buyers and regulators alike. ROAD’s leadership sees this as a practical step toward aligning Russian certification practices with those used in China, a country that has rapidly become a significant source of light commercial vehicles and passenger cars in the global market. The core idea is to reduce duplication of testing and paperwork, so manufacturers can bring products into the Russian market with fewer bureaucratic hurdles while preserving the integrity of the certification process for consumers. (TASS)
During a roundtable held at the Federation Council, Podshchekoldin emphasized the need to resolve issues surrounding mutual recognition of automobile certification. The central aim is to streamline cooperation with Chinese stakeholders, enabling quicker, more efficient product introductions and a smoother supply chain for Russian distributors and end users. In practical terms, the proposal would establish a framework in which Russian and Chinese certifying bodies acknowledge each other’s testing regimes, allowing vehicles that meet one system’s standards to gain permissible status in the other market without redundant certification cycles. This approach is presented as a strategic move to shorten lead times during product launches and to reduce delays caused by duplicative regulatory checks. (TASS)
Podshchekoldin noted that achieving recognition of mutual certification would help mitigate the current gap in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in Russia. The LCV market has faced demand pressures, with businesses seeking reliable, properly certified vehicles that can support daily operations, logistics, and field service work. ROAD’s position is that harmonizing standards could widen the pool of available models and trim delivery times for fleet buyers, while also encouraging manufacturers to keep price points competitive through more predictable regulatory processes. In addition to certification alignment, the vice-president proposed permitting imports of light commercial vehicles that comply with Euro-3 environmental class standards, arguing that this would expand the range of eligible models and provide buyers with more economical choices without compromising essential environmental protections. This stance reflects a balance between environmental considerations and the practical needs of a growing domestic market for fleets and small businesses. (TASS)
There was also mention of potential tax relief measures for dealers, specifically regarding the removal of double VAT on the resale of used cars. ROAD has previously explored the possibility of simplifying tax treatment in this space, aiming to relieve retailers from the burden of layered taxation that can make used vehicles more expensive for consumers and harder to move through dealer networks. The anticipated effect would be a more vibrant used-car sector, with greater turnover and more accessible options for buyers seeking affordable, certified pre-owned vehicles. While the topic is still under discussion, supporters argue that a simplified tax regime could stimulate market activity, improve price transparency, and promote a healthier ecosystem for both new and used car sales. (TASS)