Last updated: December 9, 2022
Other Packaging and Labeling Requirements
Warning requirements on unit packaging and labeling (e.g., packs)
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) require that warnings be applied to each consumer package of tobacco products. “Consumer packaging” is defined to include all packaging used in retail sale. Therefore, warnings are required on both unit and outside packaging and labeling.
In addition, Act No. 360-VI prohibits the sale of tobacco products without there being information on the packaging regarding the harm from the consumption of tobacco products and nicotine.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning/messages required on outside packaging and labeling (e.g., cartons)
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) require that warnings be applied to each consumer package of tobacco products. “Consumer packaging” is defined to include all packaging used in retail sale. Therefore, warnings are required on both unit and outside packaging and labeling.
In addition, Act No. 360-VI prohibits the sale of tobacco products without there being information on the packaging regarding the harm from the consumption of tobacco products and nicotine.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
Warning texts must be in the principal language(s) of the country
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) require that the warning text on the front side be in the official state language, and that the warning text on the back side be in Russian.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 in this respect.
A requirement that warnings or messages may not be placed where they may be permanently damaged or concealed when opening the pack
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) require that the information placed on tobacco product packaging, including health warnings, not be placed in a way that would destroy the integrity of the information when opening the pack. In addition, the regulations require that if the health warning on the back side of the pack is destroyed by normal opening of the pack, the warning should be placed on the lower part of the display area.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement that tax stamps or other required markings may not be placed where they may conceal warnings or messages
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) require that the health warning on the front side of the pack not be covered by a stamp. While the requirement does not apply to the warning on the back side, the regulations state that if a warning is covered by a stamp, the warning should be placed on the lower part of the display area. Read together, these provisions are interpreted as requiring that tax stamps not be placed where they may cover the warnings.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
A requirement to display qualitative (descriptive) constituents and emissions messages
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) require the following statement to occupy at least 17% of one side panel: “Contains systemic poisons, carcinogenic and mutagenic substances.”
In addition, Act No. 360-VI prohibits the sale of tobacco products without there being information on the tobacco product pack about at least three harmful compounds – systemic toxins, carcinogenic and mutagenic substances.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
Prohibition on the display of figures for emission yields (including tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide)
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) prohibit indicators of the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide content from appearing on product packaging.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 11 and the FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines in this respect.
Plain or standardized packaging
Plain packaging of tobacco products is not required. The FCTC Art. 11 Guidelines provide that Parties should consider adopting plain packaging measures that restrict or prohibit the use of logos, colors, brand images, or other promotional information on packaging other than brand and product names displayed in a standard color and font style. Plain packaging aims to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, to increase the noticeability of health warnings, and to reduce the ability of the packaging of tobacco products to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking.
Prohibition on misleading tobacco packaging & labeling including terms, descriptors, trademarks, figurative or other signs (logos, colors, images that directly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products)
The Technical Regulations for Tobacco Products (TR TC 035/2015) prohibit misleading packaging and labeling, including the display of terms, descriptions, signs, symbols, or other designations that directly or indirectly create the false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
In addition, Act No. 360-VI prohibits the sale of tobacco product where the packaging contains information that directly or indirectly misleads the consumer, including such words as "low tar content," "mild," "very mild," "smooth," "extra," "ultra" or other word combinations, including those in foreign languages, any terms, descriptions, signs, symbols, or other markings creating a false impression that specific products and/or methods of consumption are less harmful than other products and/or methods.
The law meets FCTC Art. 11 with respect to the use of terms, descriptors, or other signs that directly or indirectly create a false impression that a tobacco product is less harmful than other tobacco products.
