Russia to Include E-Cigarettes in Mandatory Labeling Pilot from July 14, Managed via the “Honest Sign” System

Jul.11.2025
Russia to Include E-Cigarettes in Mandatory Labeling Pilot from July 14, Managed via the “Honest Sign” System
The Russian government is expanding its product labeling pilot to include e-cigarettes, adding them to the list of goods requiring labels. The pilot will run from July 14, 2025, to February 28, 2026, allowing market participants to voluntarily apply free QR codes to products that meet specific codes.

Key Points:

 

·Experiment Scope: The experiment will include new e-cigarettes and similar reusable steam devices (including tobacco heating devices), corresponding to the TN VED (product code) 8543 4000 00 of the Eurasian Economic Union. 

 

·Time and Method: The voluntary experiment will take place from July 14, 2025 to February 28, 2026, with free QR codes provided as a means of identification. 

 

·Core Objective: Testing the application of label technology, researching market and system interaction, preventing counterfeit goods, and facilitating consumer verification. 

 

·Follow-up Arrangements: Clear guidelines for participating applications, registrations, and information input will be provided by August 31, 2025. It will be included in the "Honest Label" system management.

 

 


【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by TASS on July 7th, the Russian government is further strengthening its regulation of the e-cigarette market. As an important experiment, e-cigarettes have been included in the category of products that require labeling. According to the relevant regulations, the list of specific types of electronic products has been expanded to include "e-cigarettes and similar personal reusable vapor devices (tobacco heating devices)". This experiment will officially begin on July 14, 2025, and will continue until February 28, 2026.

 

Market participants can choose to voluntarily apply identification means for reusable e-cigarettes and similar products that comply with the TN VED (commodity code) 8543 4000 00 of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In this trial, QR codes will be provided free of charge for the relevant products as key identification markers. By August 31, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade will detail in the method recommendations the submission process for participation applications, the registration process in the integrity mark system, and the specific information to be entered into the system.

 

A national-level "honest label" system is currently conducting a voluntary trial. Consumers can use this system to easily verify the authenticity of products. According to reports from TASS, this trial has multiple important goals. On one hand, it aims to comprehensively test the application of identification technology and evaluate its feasibility and effectiveness in practical use. On the other hand, it delves into the interaction patterns between market participants and the system in order to optimize and improve it in the future. Additionally, by implementing a labeling system, it effectively prevents counterfeit products from entering store shelves, thereby safeguarding market order and consumer rights. Furthermore, this experiment also provides an opportunity to test the technology of using QR codes, helping to identify the best application methods.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

California Lawmakers Pass Disposable Nicotine Vape Ban, With Sales Prohibition Set for 2028
California Lawmakers Pass Disposable Nicotine Vape Ban, With Sales Prohibition Set for 2028
According to CBS Los Angeles on August 27, 2026, California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 762, which would phase out disposable, battery-embedded nicotine vapes in the state. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, manufacturing and importation of the covered products would be prohibited beginning January 1, 2027, followed by a sales ban on January 1, 2028. Driven primarily by concerns over electronic waste, lithium-battery fires and environmental pollution, the legislation would further shift California’s legal vape market toward rechargeable, refillable or replaceable-pod devices.
Aug.28
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
GAO Audit Finds Nearly 132,000 FDA Tobacco Applications Waiting an Average 1,266 Days as Nicotine Pouch Pilot Practices Move Into Vape PMTA Reviews
A U.S. Government Accountability Office audit found that 131,915 tobacco product applications submitted to the FDA since 2018 remained without a final review as of December 31, 2025, with pending applications waiting an average of 1,266 days. GAO also found FDA lacks the data needed to systematically determine whether scientific reviews meet applicable timelines. HHS agreed to upgrade the agency's tracking systems. At the same time, FDA has begun applying lessons from its nicotine pouch PMTA pilot to e-cigarette reviews, while changes to enforcement policy and electronic submissions are making the specific stage of a PMTA increasingly relevant to market access.
FDA
Oct.03
Kantar Study Finds More Than 93% of Vape Products in Ukraine Fail Regulatory Requirements
Kantar Study Finds More Than 93% of Vape Products in Ukraine Fail Regulatory Requirements
According to Interfax-Ukraine, a study conducted by market research firm Kantar Ukraine at the request of major tobacco companies found that more than 93% of vape products in Ukraine did not fully comply with regulatory requirements. The research examined product categories, brand distribution and consumer purchasing channels, showing that pod systems and disposable vapes represent major segments of the market, while offline retail remains the dominant purchasing channel. The findings highlight ongoing compliance challenges in Ukraine’s vape market.
Aug.26
Malaysia’s Vape Rules Face Review as Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad Addresses Dropped Nicotine Appeal
Malaysia’s Vape Rules Face Review as Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad Addresses Dropped Nicotine Appeal
According to Free Malaysia Today on August 26, 2026, Malaysia’s Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Health Ministry would explain the government’s decision to withdraw its appeal against a High Court ruling involving the exemption of liquid nicotine used in vape products from the Poisons List. The High Court previously ruled that the exemption decision was irrational. Dzulkefly said withdrawing the appeal did not mean the government would stop regulating vaping, and that future regulatory approaches would continue under existing legal frameworks.
Aug.28
South Korea Constitutional Court Upholds Volume-Based E-Liquid Tax, With Challenged Rates at KRW 370 and KRW 628 per Milliliter
South Korea Constitutional Court Upholds Volume-Based E-Liquid Tax, With Challenged Rates at KRW 370 and KRW 628 per Milliliter
South Korea's Constitutional Court has upheld fixed taxes on nicotine-containing e-cigarette liquids based on solution volume, ruling that challenged provisions imposing KRW 370 per milliliter in individual consumption tax and KRW 628 per milliliter in tobacco consumption tax do not violate the Constitution. The cases stemmed from historical disputes involving importers that reported nicotine as being extracted from tobacco stems rather than leaves. South Korea has since broadened its tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine, while current tax laws provide reduced rates for certain products not derived from tobacco.
Sep.18
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
AIR’s first half-year results as a listed company offer a new test of how far a traditional hookah business can transform. H1 2026 revenue rose 3.7%, even as Flavored Shisha Molasses shipments fell 9%, with pricing and mix supporting growth. Traditional shisha still generates almost all revenue, while OOKA, Crown Switch, Greentank and U.S. regulatory spending point to accelerating diversification. The next test is whether those investments can become a second business of meaningful scale and profitability.
Capital Markets
Aug.21