New rules for marketplaces: fines of up to 400,000 rubles for pressuring sellers
The Russian government has approved amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses that introduce separate liability for operators of digital platforms. One of the key changes is aimed at protecting sellers from being forced to participate in unfavorable discount campaigns.
Under the new rules, marketplaces will be required to provide sellers with a technical option to prohibit price reductions on their products at the seller’s expense. Failure to provide this mechanism or violation of a seller’s ban may result in administrative penalties.
The draft law also предусматривает fines of up to 400,000 rubles for pressuring sellers who refuse to participate in discount campaigns. Such violations may include lowering product rankings in search results, decreasing seller ratings, or restricting access to marketplace services.
Additional penalties are also introduced for other marketplace violations. Technical failures may lead to fines ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles, while more serious violations — such as unlawful blocking of a seller’s personal account or failure to review complaints within the required timeframe — may result in fines of up to 500,000 rubles.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development, these measures are a response to numerous appeals from small businesses. The statute of limitations for bringing such cases will be extended from 60 to 90 days, allowing authorities more time to conduct digital investigations.
Most of the new requirements are expected to come into effect on October 1, 2026. The requirement for automatic verification of product listings through state information systems will be postponed until January 1, 2027, to allow for the proper integration of 12 government databases with major marketplaces.
The new rules may significantly change the relationship between marketplaces and sellers, strengthening seller protection and creating more transparent conditions for operating on online platforms.