Russia has tightened its approach to supervising stores that sell alcohol, aiming to curb illegal practices and strengthen regional enforcement. A recent post from the government summarized decisions made by the State Commission for Combating the Illegal Trade in Industrial Products. The focus is on improving the transparency and reliability of retail sales across the country, with an emphasis on beer and other alcoholic beverages that fall under regional and federal control.
At the meeting, which was chaired by Denis Manturov, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, representatives from federal agencies, regional authorities, and related organizations discussed the growing concerns over unsafe alcohol distribution and the need to adjust oversight mechanisms. Manturov highlighted that health authorities have reported increases in cases of fatal alcohol poisoning, underscoring the necessity for clearer standards and more effective checks at the territorial level.
The Cabinet of Ministers reported that the State Commission approved standardized indicators to assess the risk of violations of mandatory requirements in the territorial state control of alcohol retail. These indicators are intended to guide inspectors and regulators in evaluating compliance across different regions, helping ensure that alcohol products, including beer and low-alcohol drinks, are sold in accordance with established rules.
In response to the new framework, the Ministry of Economic Development was instructed to align monthly sales volumes with the Civil Register of Production and Trade (CRPT) data, in coordination with the regional authorities, the prosecutor’s office, and Rosalkogolregulirovanie. The goal of this alignment is to improve data accuracy, enable better monitoring, and reinforce accountability in beer and low-alcohol markets.
During the discussions, a separate note mentioned by Andrei Klihas, who previously served as the chairman of the Federation Council Constitutional Committee, referring to a bill on legalizing online alcohol sales. The proposal had been submitted to the federal government for consideration, highlighting ongoing debates about the scope of online commerce in the alcohol sector and the need for robust regulatory safeguards if such sales were to be permitted in the future.
In another instance reflecting regional dynamics, an event in the Perm Territory illustrated how alcohol-related disputes can escalate into conflicts that affect broader community safety and property. Local authorities reported that neighbors in a residential area became involved in a heated altercation, resulting in damage to nearby homes and the safety concerns that can accompany improper or illegal alcohol distribution. This example underscores why regional oversight and enforcement are critical to maintaining public order and reducing alcohol-related harm across diverse communities.