LEGISLATIVE NOVELTIES WILL HELP PREVENT ILLEGAL ALCOHOL PRODUCTS

Legislative initiatives tightening state control over the brewing industry and their impact upon competitive environments discussed in Sochi

The XXVIII International Forum “BEER-2019” in Sochi included a regular Round Table on “Russian Brewing Industry in the Modern Conditions”.

Attendees included Deputy Head of the Investigations Unit, FAS Fiscal Control Department, Nadezhda Volodina, and an advisor to the Investigations Unit, FAS Fiscal Control Department, Svetlana Bataeva, as well as representatives of Russian producers of brewing products, trading companies operating on the brewing market and in related industries, sectoral associations from EAEU member-states and other experts and research organizations.

The Round Table discussed the main legislative initiatives in government regulation of the brewing industry, particularly, a draft law on the Register of brewing companies, preparation to EAEU Technical Regulations “On Alcohol Products Safety” coming into force, the trends and prospects of brewing products identification, traceability of brewing products on the market in EAEU.

The main concerns expressed by the market players are related to possible increase of the administrative burden comparable with the one already applied to producers of strong alcoholic beverages.

FAS representatives emphasized that the main goal of the legislative novelties is to limit and event illegal products on the market, which will have a positive impact not only upon consumers and budget replenishment but also upon the market players themselves, who today have to compete with cheaper illegal products.

“At the same time, such novelties must not mirror what is currently used for strong alcoholic beverages and wine: the specifics of the brewing industry should be accounted for”, pointed out Nadezhda Volodina.

Based on the results of the follow-up discussion, the Round Table drafted a resolution that is forwarded to executive ad legislative bodies of the Russian Federation.