The Russian State Duma has passed a law in its third reading prohibiting the circulation of pesticides and agrochemicals that are not recorded in the Federal State Information System for Traceability (FGIS) “Saturn” or that contain inaccurate information. According to the explanatory note, the initiative aims to establish legal mechanisms to curb the circulation of counterfeit and falsified pesticides and agrochemicals, while also promoting their safe handling across the Russian Federation. The only exceptions to the new rules are the storage and transportation of such substances for the purpose of destruction, disposal, or neutralization. Individuals and entities submitting data to the FGIS will be held responsible for its accuracy and completeness.
If information on a pesticide is absent from the Saturn system, regulatory authorities such as Rosselkhoznadzor or Rospotrebnadzor are authorized to suspend its circulation; owners may also voluntarily suspend it. The government will establish the procedure for removal, while the responsibility for disposal falls on the product’s owner. The legislation also grants agency officials the authority to take samples to verify product compliance with registered specifications and the accuracy of labeling information. Additionally, the requirement to obtain an authorization document from the Ministry of Agriculture now applies to all pesticides imported into Russia—previously, this was only mandatory for registration samples.
