Overview
- Russia’s State Duma passed the bill on December 23 and sent it to the Federation Council, which placed it on the agenda for its final session on December 24.
- Proposed penalties set fines at 50,000–150,000 rubles for officials and sole proprietors and 200,000–500,000 rubles for legal entities.
- Current sanctions are far lower at 2,000–4,000 rubles for officials and 20,000–40,000 rubles for organizations.
- Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said tougher liability would better shield consumers from unscrupulous sellers who impose paid services.
- First deputy committee chair Igor Igoshin cited widespread practices in banking, insurance and healthcare, including contract clauses that force buyers to pay for unnecessary extras.