Overview of March 2025 Legislative Changes in Russia
Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of Russia’s State Duma, announced a series of laws that will take effect in March. These updates were shared on the telegram channel of the lower house of parliament, serving as a briefing for officials and the public alike.
Beginning March 1, Russia will implement a state environmental monitoring system. This system is designed to inform government bodies and residents about environmental conditions and to enable rapid responses to emerging threats. It aims to improve early warning capabilities and support preventive actions across the country.
Another March milestone concerns the standard for transport services. Authorities are required to develop a population service plan that defines specific indicators and target values. These metrics will assess and demonstrate accessibility, safety, and comfort within the transport network, guiding improvements and accountability for service quality.
In the area of consumer labeling, wine products will face updated requirements starting in March. Labels must disclose basic product information such as the type, producer, and grape variety. The typography must be legible, with a contrast that ensures readability, and the minimum font size is set at eight points to enhance consumer clarity.
March also brings mandatory arrangements for keeping animals in points of sale. Legislation will set the permissible sizes for closed spaces and aquariums used to house animals and will introduce algorithms to trigger responses if a disease is detected among animals. The goal is to uphold animal welfare while enabling effective monitoring in commercial environments.
OSAGO, the mandatory motor third party liability insurance, will be issued in a revised format starting March 2. Policies can now be issued for periods ranging from one day to three months, allowing drivers to enter short-term contracts. A three-day start delay will apply before these policies become active, reflecting a transition period for insurers and policyholders alike.
Public support programs will broaden their scope beginning March 8. Non-profit organizations that work in areas such as family welfare, motherhood and fatherhood, childhood, and animal welfare will become eligible for state assistance. This expansion signals a federal emphasis on social support networks and nonprofit governance in these sectors.
From March 19 onward, residents will have the option to apply for deposit insurance reimbursement electronically through the official website of the deposit insurance agency or via the Gosuslugi portal. A notable change is the acceptance of Mir card details in place of bank account information, streamlining the application process and reducing the amount of personal banking data required for compensation claims.
Earlier reports indicated that the State Duma was in the third, final reading phase on a law prohibiting the advertising and placement of advertisements on the resources owned by foreign agents. This measure reflects ongoing regulatory efforts to control information and advertising associations linked to foreign entities.
Additionally, there have been proposals in the State Duma to prohibit loans to foreign agencies. The discussions around this proposal emphasize the focus on tightening financial relationships with entities identified as foreign agents and reasserting regulatory oversight of lending to those bodies. These proposals illustrate a broader trend of reviewing and potentially restricting foreign influence within domestic financial markets.
Overall, the March policy package covers environmental monitoring, transport service standards, consumer labeling, animal welfare in commerce, flexible motor insurance options, expanded support for nonprofit organizations, streamlined electronic claim processes, and regulatory controls on foreign-related advertising and lending. Each item underscores a commitment to transparency, accountability, and public welfare across multiple sectors.