Mandatory Use of Russian Language in Company’s Signs, Labels, Packaging and Web-sites
Recent legislative amendments have introduced additional requirements regarding the use of the Russian language in business-to-consumer (B2C) relations.
Under the new rules, effective from 1 March 2026[1], information intended for public communication to consumers must be provided in Russian. This applies to a broad range of materials, including company signage, information signs and other publicly available information addressed to consumers. Advertising materials remain subject to separate regulation, under which the preferential use of the Russian language had already been introduced earlier.
The new requirements cover, inter alia, product descriptions, labels, instructions and other consumer-facing information. While such information may also be provided in foreign languages (e.g. English), the Russian version must be present, be given priority and be equivalent in content.
In practical terms, this means that commonly used foreign-language elements in consumer communication may need to be adapted. For example, signage or labels such as “café”, “flowers” or “sale” would need to be accompanied by their Russian equivalents («кафе», «цветы», «распродажа») when used in materials addressed to consumers.
Certain aspects of the new regulation remain unclear. In particular, questions arise as to whether the requirements fully extend to online content and product packaging. According to public statements of the Russian consumer protection authority (Rospotrebnadzor), the new rules are expected to apply to company websites. This suggests that businesses operating in Russia should review their online content from a compliance perspective.
As regards product packaging, there is also a risk that it may fall within the scope of the new requirements, given that such information is publicly available to consumers. In the absence of detailed official guidance, a cautious approach may be advisable.
Overall, the new rules will require businesses to reassess their consumer-facing materials and ensure that the use of foreign languages does not prevail over the mandatory Russian-language content.
Salary Overpayments May Be Recovered if Caused by a Counting Error: Supreme Court Clarifies
In its Review of Judicial Practice for the First Quarter of 2026[2], the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation clarified the conditions under which salary overpayments may be recovered from employees.
As a general rule, salary and similar payments to the employees cannot be claim as unjust enrichment from the employee. However, it is possible on exceptional scenario where the overpayment results from a counting error and the employee’s bad faith.
The Supreme Court considered a case where an employee received more than RUB 1.8 million instead of approximately RUB 10,000 due to an input error in payroll calculations (1,064 shifts were entered instead of 10.64). The employee refused to return the funds and subsequently resigned.
The Court confirmed that errors in data input leading to an incorrect calculation of the amount payable may qualify as counting errors. The key factor is not the classification of the error (e.g. technical or otherwise), but its effect on the arithmetic calculation.
The Supreme Court also took into account the employee’s conduct, in particular the refusal to return an obviously excessive payment.
As a result, the Court upheld the recovery of the overpaid amount as unjust enrichment.
Stricter Regulation of Foreign Investments in Strategic Assets
Federal Law No. 51-FZ dated 8 March 2026[3] introduces a number of amendments to the Russian regime governing foreign investments in strategically important sectors.
The amendments significantly expand the perimeter of state control.
The regulation now extends beyond acquisitions of shares in strategic companies and also covers transactions involving assets used for strategic activities, including property owned by the state or municipalities. In addition, the rules are expressly applied to certain non-commercial organisations where foreign investors may obtain control or acquire key assets.
The concept of a “strategic company” has also been broadened. A company may now fall within the regime not only based on the nature of its activities, but also due to holding a licence or other authorisation required for such activities.
At the same time, the list of strategic activities has been expanded. The new rules capture, among other things, certain categories of subsoil use (including deposits not previously classified as strategic), commercial extraction of groundwater and selected activities in the fisheries sector.
The amendments further introduce additional compliance obligations for foreign investors. In particular, notification requirements now apply to investors holding 5% or more of shares in certain cases, including where a company acquires strategic status as a result of licensing.
Finally, disclosure requirements have been strengthened. Information on beneficial owners and controlling persons must now be provided not only in relation to the acquirer, but also the disposing party in relevant transactions.
Overall, the changes indicate a continued shift towards a broader and more flexible interpretation of what constitutes a strategic asset, which may increase regulatory scrutiny and expand the scope of transactions requiring prior approval.
***
[1] Federal Law No. 168-FZ as of 24 June 2025 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”
[2] Review of Judicial Practice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation No. 1 (2026), approved by Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation as of 25 March 2026 No. 5А/2026
[3] Federal Law No. 51-FZ as of 8 March 2026 “On Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On the Procedure for Foreign Investments in Business Entities of Strategic Importance for National Defense and State Security’, Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation and Invalidation of Subparagraphs 8 and 9 of Paragraph 10 of Article 6 of the Federal Law ‘On Foreign Investments in the Russian Federation’”
Recent legislative amendments have introduced additional requirements regarding the use of the Russian language in business-to-consumer (B2C) relations.
Under the new rules, effective from 1 March 2026[1], information intended for public communication to consumers must be provided in Russian. This applies to a broad range of materials, including company signage, information signs and other publicly available information addressed to consumers. Advertising materials remain subject to separate regulation, under which the preferential use of the Russian language had already been introduced earlier.
The new requirements cover, inter alia, product descriptions, labels, instructions and other consumer-facing information. While such information may also be provided in foreign languages (e.g. English), the Russian version must be present, be given priority and be equivalent in content.
In practical terms, this means that commonly used foreign-language elements in consumer communication may need to be adapted. For example, signage or labels such as “café”, “flowers” or “sale” would need to be accompanied by their Russian equivalents («кафе», «цветы», «распродажа») when used in materials addressed to consumers.
Certain aspects of the new regulation remain unclear. In particular, questions arise as to whether the requirements fully extend to online content and product packaging. According to public statements of the Russian consumer protection authority (Rospotrebnadzor), the new rules are expected to apply to company websites. This suggests that businesses operating in Russia should review their online content from a compliance perspective.
As regards product packaging, there is also a risk that it may fall within the scope of the new requirements, given that such information is publicly available to consumers. In the absence of detailed official guidance, a cautious approach may be advisable.
Overall, the new rules will require businesses to reassess their consumer-facing materials and ensure that the use of foreign languages does not prevail over the mandatory Russian-language content.
Salary Overpayments May Be Recovered if Caused by a Counting Error: Supreme Court Clarifies
In its Review of Judicial Practice for the First Quarter of 2026[2], the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation clarified the conditions under which salary overpayments may be recovered from employees.
As a general rule, salary and similar payments to the employees cannot be claim as unjust enrichment from the employee. However, it is possible on exceptional scenario where the overpayment results from a counting error and the employee’s bad faith.
The Supreme Court considered a case where an employee received more than RUB 1.8 million instead of approximately RUB 10,000 due to an input error in payroll calculations (1,064 shifts were entered instead of 10.64). The employee refused to return the funds and subsequently resigned.
The Court confirmed that errors in data input leading to an incorrect calculation of the amount payable may qualify as counting errors. The key factor is not the classification of the error (e.g. technical or otherwise), but its effect on the arithmetic calculation.
The Supreme Court also took into account the employee’s conduct, in particular the refusal to return an obviously excessive payment.
As a result, the Court upheld the recovery of the overpaid amount as unjust enrichment.
Stricter Regulation of Foreign Investments in Strategic Assets
Federal Law No. 51-FZ dated 8 March 2026[3] introduces a number of amendments to the Russian regime governing foreign investments in strategically important sectors.
The amendments significantly expand the perimeter of state control.
The regulation now extends beyond acquisitions of shares in strategic companies and also covers transactions involving assets used for strategic activities, including property owned by the state or municipalities. In addition, the rules are expressly applied to certain non-commercial organisations where foreign investors may obtain control or acquire key assets.
The concept of a “strategic company” has also been broadened. A company may now fall within the regime not only based on the nature of its activities, but also due to holding a licence or other authorisation required for such activities.
At the same time, the list of strategic activities has been expanded. The new rules capture, among other things, certain categories of subsoil use (including deposits not previously classified as strategic), commercial extraction of groundwater and selected activities in the fisheries sector.
The amendments further introduce additional compliance obligations for foreign investors. In particular, notification requirements now apply to investors holding 5% or more of shares in certain cases, including where a company acquires strategic status as a result of licensing.
Finally, disclosure requirements have been strengthened. Information on beneficial owners and controlling persons must now be provided not only in relation to the acquirer, but also the disposing party in relevant transactions.
Overall, the changes indicate a continued shift towards a broader and more flexible interpretation of what constitutes a strategic asset, which may increase regulatory scrutiny and expand the scope of transactions requiring prior approval.
***
[1] Federal Law No. 168-FZ as of 24 June 2025 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”
[2] Review of Judicial Practice of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation No. 1 (2026), approved by Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation as of 25 March 2026 No. 5А/2026
[3] Federal Law No. 51-FZ as of 8 March 2026 “On Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On the Procedure for Foreign Investments in Business Entities of Strategic Importance for National Defense and State Security’, Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation and Invalidation of Subparagraphs 8 and 9 of Paragraph 10 of Article 6 of the Federal Law ‘On Foreign Investments in the Russian Federation’”