The chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry, Vladimir Gutenev, warns that banning manufacturers from using nonstandard packaging for goods could push prices higher. He argues that forcing a uniform approach to packaging will narrow the choices available to buyers and create additional costs for producers. In his view, these extra costs are likely to be passed along to consumers, which could burden households across Russia. Gutenev emphasizes that public policy should avoid placing unnecessary financial strain on producers while still pursuing any stated goals related to standardization and quality control. Source: lenta.ru
Gutenev notes that aligning package sizes across multiple product categories will reduce the variety of options offered to shoppers and compel manufacturers to alter their production lines. He points out that adjusting packaging formats is not a simple, one-time change; it involves long lead times, factory reconfiguration, and potential waste as old packaging becomes obsolete. He stresses the importance of weighing the anticipated gains in consistency against the real-world costs that businesses must bear during the transition. The primary concern, he says, is to keep consumer prices stable and avoid surprising buyers with higher costs during a period of market adjustment. Source: lenta.ru
According to Gutenev, the aim of any new packaging rules should be carefully assessed to prevent unnecessary burdens on the industrial sector. He argues that while standardization can streamline logistics and improve resource efficiency, it should not come at the expense of affordability for ordinary consumers. The official asserts that the government and regulators ought to consider the broader economic impact, including how production changes, logistics recalibration, and new material requirements translate into final retail prices. Source: lenta.ru
Earlier, the Office of the Prosecutor General reportedly prohibited changes to packaging volumes for essential goods under GOST guidelines. The new rules require buckwheat to be sold in packs of 500, 1000, or 2000 grams, and milk in volumes of 200, 250, 500, 1000, or 2000 milliliters. Similar restrictions apply to sugar, flour, black tea, salt, rice, sunflower oil, butter, and noodles. This move underscores a broader push toward standardized packaging dimensions across staple foods, with the stated intention of improving market transparency and reducing consumer confusion. Source: lenta.ru
Industry observers have also noted a recent wave of retail consolidation in Moscow, with reports highlighting significant downsizing in numerous stores. Analysts caution that such consolidation could interact with packaging policy in ways that affect product availability and pricing, particularly for everyday essentials. Stakeholders are watching closely how the combination of stricter packaging regulations and store network changes will influence consumer choice, supplier dynamics, and the overall cost structure of essential goods. Source: lenta.ru