From Sept 1, 2026, Chestny Znak introduces automatic fines and expands labeling of groceries, requiring equipment modernization.
The Chestny Znak monitoring system is preparing a large-scale tightening of control. From September 1, 2026, several key changes come into force that directly affect food producers, pharmacists and cosmetic companies. For the first time in the system's history, fines will be calculated automatically — without inspectors and field checks.
The automatic sanctions mechanism is enshrined in Federal Law 120-FZ of September 2, 2026. Now Chestny Znak algorithms will independently record violations when a labeled product passes through the cash register, send a report to Rospotrebnadzor, which will issue an electronic resolution on the fine.
«If the cash register received a „stop“ signal and the sale still went through — the cash register equipment and software are configured incorrectly. Chestny Znak algorithms see no difference between a deliberate violation and an accidental error», note MERTECH experts.
The amounts of automatic fines are impressive. For selling an expired product — from 10 to 20 thousand rubles per unit. For nicotine-containing products, amounts reach 500 thousand rubles. Importantly: until August 31, 2026, the system only shows the estimated amount of fines in personal accounts, and from September 1 each message becomes a real resolution.
The largest expansion awaits food products. From September 1, 2026, the third wave of grocery labeling starts, which includes:
- pasta and instant cereals;
- breakfast cereals, muesli and bars;
- dough mixes;
- honey in consumer packaging from 20 g.
In addition to new product groups, volume-sort accounting is introduced for groceries of the first and second waves (snacks, spices, sauces) starting September 1. Wholesale lots can now only be transferred through signing UPD, which specifies GTIN and the number of units in the batch. Retail is required to scan Data Matrix codes at each sale.
Separate attention is paid to dairy products. Glazed cheese curds and cottage cheese desserts are transferred from the «Confectionery» category to «Dairy products». This is due to short shelf life and the need for stricter control. Until September 1, companies must change the category of cards in the National Catalog, otherwise — a fine.
Cosmetics, household chemicals and personal hygiene products also expect changes: from July 1, 2026, retail is already required to scan labeling codes when selling all types of these goods, and from December 1, 2026, the sale of unlabeled razors and blades is prohibited.
For business, this means the need for urgent equipment modernization. Manufacturers and importers whose goods fall under labeling from September 1 need to:
- prepare label printers or other equipment for applying DataMatrix codes;
- install 2D barcode scanners in the cash register area;
- purchase data collection terminals (DCT) to work according to volume-sort accounting rules;
- connect to EDI and update cash register software to a version supporting the permitting regime.
Experts emphasize: transferring control from manual to automatic mode is a strategic step. With manual document filling, the risk of error remains high, and each such error from September 1 can cause an automatic fine. It is equipment and software that become the key factor in business survival in new regulatory conditions.
Source: MERTECH — About labeling
