A pilot project for the labeling of personal hygiene products is set to begin. According to a government decree, from September 25, 2025, to August 31, 2026, a voluntary labeling trial will be conducted for manufacturers of toothbrushes and floss, cotton pads and swabs, manicure accessories, and other hygiene items. Over the nearly 12-month period, industry participants will have the opportunity to test the labeling system free of charge and prepare for the transition to mandatory application of Data Matrix codes.
As usual, participation in the experiment is voluntary. During the experiment, participating companies will have the opportunity to test the full cycle of labeling under real production conditions and will receive technical and methodological support, as explained to Rossiyskaya Gazeta by the Center for Development of Telematics (CDT), the operator of the marking system "Chестny Znaк" (Honest Sign).
Which specific products are subject to labeling?
The list is extensive, covering categories of products related to personal hygiene. These include:
- Toothbrushes and dental floss
- Cotton products (disks, swabs)
- Hygienic paper products (tissues, cosmetic wipes, hand towels)
- Sanitary pads, tampons, and other feminine hygiene products
- Manicure and pedicure accessories (tweezers, kits, nail files)
- Combs, hairbrushes, shaving brushes, and other individual-use brushes
- Sponges, washcloths, pumice stones
- Massage devices and other mechanotherapy equipment
"The experiment will last almost a year — 11.5 months. This timeframe should be sufficient for market participants to select and implement the necessary technical solutions. It’s worth noting that many large companies already have successful experience working with the labeling system in adjacent categories such as perfumery, cosmetics, and household chemicals. On our part, we are ready to provide comprehensive methodological support and collaborate with the industry to ensure a smooth transition to mandatory labeling. We invite industry representatives to participate in the experiment," commented Varvara Mikhaylova, Head of the Department of Consumer Goods at CDT.
Participation in the experiment will allow manufacturers to pre-test how codes are applied to various types of packaging to fine-tune the technology.
For consumers, based on the experience of labeling in other product categories, it serves as a guarantee of product authenticity. All items can be checked for legality through the mobile app "Честный знак" (Honest Sign).
"Participating in the labeling experiment for hygiene products is a strategic goal for us. Our facility has over 40 production lines dedicated to personal hygiene goods. We plan to use this experimental period to thoroughly test all stages of labeling and select the optimal solution. Although we’ve already implemented labeling for cosmetics and cleaning products, hygiene goods are produced using different technologies, so we need to prepare in advance for implementation," said Maxim Simonov, Quality Director of one of the major manufacturers.
Source: RGRU
