The Federal Law: licensing and marking of beer-based beverages (2015-01-13)

The Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation drafted the Bill “Concerning Amendments of the Law “On State Regulation of Production and Circulation of Alcohol Products and Limiting of Alcohol Consumption”.

Law formation was implemented according to provisions III, IV and VI of the Government Regulations approved in June 1, 2004 No 260.

The Bill is focused on introduction of licensing procedure and compulsory marking of beer beverages.

Besides, according to the bill a meaning “special” beer was added. Necessity for the development of the bill lies in the current situation around beer production and circulation.

So, the Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation working upon prevention of illegal alcohol circulation, performed analysis of declaration data sent by producers, carrying out wholesale and retail trade.

Monitoring activities and report analysis detected serious violation and threats towards public economy and citizens’ health in the sphere of production and circulation of beer drinks.

So, according to declarations for the first half of 2014, some companies far exceeded actual deliveries of beer beverages over declared.

The Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation monitored 69 companies. According to the results, 4,56 mln. units of beer drinks has been attached: 14 wholesale companies (20,3% of 69 checked organizations) has been arrested, actual location of 15 companies (21,7% of 69) didn’t conform to the address mentioned in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, 4 companies (5,8% of 69) didn’t have storages within the company location area.  

Due to above mentioned reasons, the Working group for brewing products and low-alcohol beverages discussed conditions for beer beverages licensing and marking.

It bears reminding that at present, beer beverages are not marked as against low-alcohol drinks. Producers of low-alcohol drinks with alcohol content similar to beer beverages must be licensed and operate with USAIS.

Besides, in case of taxation of low-alcohol drinks and beer beverages with similar alcohol content, producers of beer beverages will pay to the budget far less.

So, these amendments will have favorable economical and social effect and increase tax revenues to the budget of the RF.  

Implementation of the bill will not cause any changes in powers and duties of the legislative authorities and won’t involve additional budget appropriations.

You can find the bill by reference.

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