Labeling of goods in the EAEU: what Belarusians need to know and what innovations to expect 

Vyacheslav Maikovskiy Deputy HEAD of the Main Directorate for Control over the Sale of Goods and Services - Head of the Department of Electronic Control Systems of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties The mechanism of marking goods with identification means has been used in the Eurasian Economic Union since 2016. Belarus has also created its own national marking system, and defined a list of goods subject to it. Why is this necessary? First of all, to ensure the legal circulation of goods, protect consumer rights so that they are not misled by offering counterfeit products. How this process has been worked out in the EAEU and what new things Belarusians can expect, Vyacheslav Maikovskiy, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Control over the Sale of Goods and Services - Head of the Department of Electronic Control Systems of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, told a BELTA correspondent.

How the marking system was created in the EAEU

Since 2016, the EAEU has introduced marking of fur products with control (identification) marks. During the implementation of the pilot project at the level of the Eurasian Economic Commission, an information system for labeling was created, a mechanism for exchanging information and interaction between the countries of the union in cross-border trade was developed. Universal requirements for the control (identification) mark were also developed. It was determined that all the necessary information is accumulated in the national segments of the information system for labeling, and during cross-border trade, data sufficient to confirm the legality of the transported products are transferred to other EAEU states. It was established that each country of the union itself determines the composition of the information to be included in the national system, and at the same time the burden on business . The parties came to the conclusion that the information system created as a result of the pilot project can be adapted when introducing labeling for other goods.

Positive experience was reflected in the agreement on labeling goods with identification means in the Eurasian Economic Union, signed in 2018 in Almaty. "The document defines the main goals of creating a marking mechanism. This is to ensure the legal circulation of goods within the EAEU, protect consumer rights and prevent actions that mislead them," noted Vyacheslav Maikovskiy.

The provisions of the agreement regulate the introduction of goods labeling with unified means of identification in the territory of the EAEU countries, and also establish general requirements for participants in the turnover. The document is of a framework nature and can be extended to a wide range of goods, the list of which is constantly expanding. Currently, the labeling agreement is the basic international agreement in this area, in the development of which decisions are made by the EEC Council and the EEC Board, regulating the procedure for the functioning of the labeling system, its extension to various categories of goods, the procedure for information interaction in cross-border trade, as well as determining the means of identification, their characteristics, the procedure for their generation.

"The created labeling mechanism allows us to ensure the legality of the circulation of goods in the territory of the EAEU countries. For the unimpeded movement of goods within the union, uniform rules, requirements, standards, and working conditions are necessary for all states," Vyacheslav Maikovskiy noted.

The process is active. What goods are labeled in the union countries

The mechanism of labeling with identification means is being implemented in all EAEU states. "The undisputed leader in this area is RUSSIA , where 31 product groups are already being labeled. And a number of experiments on labeling goods with identification means are expected to be completed there in the near future," the Tax Ministry representative added.

There are three models for applying the mechanism. Labeling of a certain product can be introduced in all five EAEU member states. This is what happened with fur products. The second option is to introduce labeling in only a few countries based on technical readiness and interest, with mandatory recognition of identification means by all union members and receipt of labeling codes through their national operators (administrators). This applies to footwear and a number of other light industry goods, perfumes and eau de toilette, new rubber pneumatic tires and tires, cameras (except movie cameras), flash units and flash lamps, dairy products, packaged water, electronic cigarettes, soft drinks and juices, mobile phones, laptops (tablets), beer products, dietary supplements, veterinary drugs, vegetable oils, canned goods, and animal feed. The third option is labeling of a product group in accordance with the national legislation of each EAEU state separately (ALCOHOL, tobacco products , medicines).

According to Vyacheslav Maikovskiy, the legal basis for developing the marking mechanism in the EAEU has been formed, the countries are sufficiently immersed in this area, and the rules for its introduction on their territory are clear and understandable for all members of the union. "Marking with identification means is developing dynamically in the EAEU. The issue of ensuring information inter-operator interaction to obtain foreign-style marking codes through national operators when exporting goods from the territory of a state where marking has not been introduced to the territory of a state where it has been introduced is relevant. As well as for mutual recognition of identification means in cross-border trade between states where marking has been introduced. In addition, it seems appropriate and necessary to develop a mechanism for aggregating marking codes, the transition of all EAEU member states to information exchange not within the framework of inter-operator agreements, but through an integrated information system of the union. Work in this direction is being carried out on the EEC platform with the active participation of the Belarusian side," Vyacheslav Maikovskiy informed.

How are things with labeling in Belarus?

In all countries of the union, national labeling systems have been created and national operators (administrators) have been identified, who ensure information interaction, including during the cross-border movement of goods. In Belarus, this is the RUE "Izdatelstvo Belblankavyd", subordinate to the Ministry of Finance. And the regulatory body in our country is the Ministry of Taxes and Duties. 

In Belarus, labeling of natural fur products, as well as dairy products, footwear, and certain light industry goods (coats, short coats, capes, raincoats, jackets, bed and table linen, new rubber pneumatic tires and tires) has been introduced. All of these product groups are not subject to relabeling in Russia during cross-border trade. Belarusian-style identification means are recognized in the Russian Federation, just as Russian-style identification means are recognized in Belarus. With regard to goods for which labeling has not been introduced at the national level (perfumes and eau de toilette, mineral and drinking water, dietary supplements, veterinary drugs, etc., with the exception of beer products, including non-alcoholic beer), the national operator issues Russian-style labeling codes to Belarusian exporters. 

The representative of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties emphasized the importance of unifying approaches to product labeling and preventing a reduction EXPORT deliveries. Work is being carried out for this purposeon the gradual expansion of the list of goods subject to labeling in Belarus, which allows for mutual recognition of identification means and a reduction in operational costs associated with process administration. From 1 October 2025, labeling of soft drinks, mobile phones, and laptops will be introduced in Belarus. Plans for 2026 include labeling of animal feed, lubricants, oil and fat products, bicycles, cosmetics, and household chemicals. 

Valeria GAVRILOVA,
BELTA.