Russia's Digital Labeling for Frozen Fish Lacks Clear Definition Between Transport and Consumer Packaging; Federal Fisheries Agency Meeting Decides to Send Letter to Government Agencies

On October 16, 2026, Ilya Shestakov, head of Russia's Federal Fisheries Agency (Росрыболовство), chaired a dedicated meeting to discuss digital labeling of frozen fish products. According to industry association sources speaking to Fishnews, the core topic of the meeting was the lack of a clear regulatory definition between transport packaging and consumer packaging under the framework of the digital labeling project for frozen fish products.

Attendees included representatives of industry associations, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Роспотребнадзор), the Russian national digital labeling operator Center for Advanced Technology Development (ЦРПТ), and the Fisheries Monitoring and Communication Center (ЦСМС). The Russian Fishing Vessel Owners Association (АСРФ) briefed Fishnews on the meeting.

The Russian Fisheries Union (Рыбный союз) noted that the unclear definition between transport packaging and consumer packaging was the main issue in the discussion. The union also said that both the Federal Fisheries Agency and the State Duma understand the concerns of market participants arising from regulatory uncertainty, and stressed that all disputed issues must be resolved before the pilot officially ends.

The Russian Fishing Vessel Owners Association raised issues related to implementing digital labeling under shipboard conditions at the meeting. The association suggested completing labeling at warehouses rather than on deck.

Based on the discussion results, the meeting decided to send a formal letter of inquiry to government agencies.

Previously, the digital labeling pilot for semi-finished and consumer-packaged frozen food products had been extended to the end of February, and frozen fish was also included in the scope of the pilot.