By January 2028, the Russian government will develop a mechanism for holding foreign sellers liable for selling low-quality products through marketplaces under the principle of subsidiary liability. This follows from a government directive obtained by TASS. Subsidiary liability implies that a debt may be collected not only from the direct debtor but also from individuals or entities that control them or act as guarantors.
The issue of low-quality goods sold by foreign online sellers has previously drawn the attention of Roskachestvo, Russia’s quality watchdog. Russia’s current consumer protection law does not apply to relationships with foreign companies that are not registered as Russian legal entities. As a result, disputes with such sellers are governed by international norms and the laws of the country where the goods originate, leaving domestic consumers virtually unprotected.
At present, Russian consumers can only minimise risks on their own by carefully reviewing product listings on marketplaces, checking reviews, and assessing potential delivery challenges. The marketplaces themselves bear limited liability, which essentially comes down to ensuring the accuracy of the information they provide.
The development of a specific dispute resolution mechanism that provides for the subsidiary liability of the operator of an intermediary digital platform when a consumer purchases a defective product from a foreign seller will be undertaken by Rospotrebnadzor, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Source
The issue of low-quality goods sold by foreign online sellers has previously drawn the attention of Roskachestvo, Russia’s quality watchdog. Russia’s current consumer protection law does not apply to relationships with foreign companies that are not registered as Russian legal entities. As a result, disputes with such sellers are governed by international norms and the laws of the country where the goods originate, leaving domestic consumers virtually unprotected.
At present, Russian consumers can only minimise risks on their own by carefully reviewing product listings on marketplaces, checking reviews, and assessing potential delivery challenges. The marketplaces themselves bear limited liability, which essentially comes down to ensuring the accuracy of the information they provide.
The development of a specific dispute resolution mechanism that provides for the subsidiary liability of the operator of an intermediary digital platform when a consumer purchases a defective product from a foreign seller will be undertaken by Rospotrebnadzor, the Ministry of Economic Development, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Source