Adherents of a vegan lifestyle may need to find alternative ways to identify `eco-friendly` clothing.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg) is suggesting a ban on certain types of labeling for light industry products imported into Russia. The proposed document, currently under discussion on the portal for normative legal acts, specifically targets so-called `eco` and `vegan` product descriptions.
The primary consumers of `eco-friendly` and `vegan` (vegans avoid all animal products, including milk and honey) apparel are environmental advocates. These individuals often opt for synthetic leather over genuine animal leather. While this preference is not inherently unlawful, a legal challenge has emerged because Russian legislation and state standards currently lack definitions for terms like `eco-down,` `eco-fur,` `eco-leather,` `ecological leather,` and `vegan leather.`
This absence of standardization not only creates ambiguity but also makes it impossible to reliably guarantee the safety of such products for consumers, whether they are animal welfare advocates or others purchasing these garments.
Consequently, a decision has been made to ban the import of goods bearing such labels into Russia. This comes shortly after reports about a significant backlog of trucks at the Russian-Kazakh border, caused by attempts to smuggle illicit goods. Should this new prohibition take effect, it could potentially exacerbate border congestion, though it is not expected to be implemented until March 1, 2026.
