Moscow – Qahwa World
The Center for Research in Perspective Technologies (CRPT) has announced that hundreds of Russian manufacturers and importers have entered the final and critical stage of preparing for the “Chestny ZNAK” (Honest Mark) mandatory digital labeling system for coffee products, scheduled to launch on June 1, 2026.
The system operator emphasized that early preparation is the primary guarantee for businesses to ensure a smooth transition and minimize operational risks, noting that it provides comprehensive support to participants through specialized workshops and educational materials.
In this context, Maria Bredneva, a representative of Coffee Workshop Ltd, stated that the product labeling process for small and medium-sized factories requires systematic adaptation and preparation.
She noted that their early participation in the pilot program helped them understand the mechanisms of the process and utilize affordable technologies to simplify the integration of labeling into production lines, thereby reducing the operational burden and allowing for the effective use of system tools. Similarly, Grigory Balayants, General Director of K-Grand, pointed out that the successful launch of digital labeling for cocoa last December facilitated the current preparation for coffee products.
He added that the company is currently installing the necessary equipment, which ultimately aims to help consumers verify the authenticity and quality of the product.
The digital labeling system is designed to protect consumers from counterfeit goods by tracking the product’s journey from the factory to the end buyer via a unique Data Matrix code printed on each coffee package.
The code is issued based on comprehensive data provided by the manufacturer in a digital catalog, and the entire supply chain is reflected through an Electronic Document Interchanges (EDI) system until the product is officially retired from circulation at the point of sale.
The cost of a single code is 50 kopecks, which may increase the final cost by 10% to 22% depending on the product category.
Legislation mandates all legal entities and individual entrepreneurs to register in the system through steps including obtaining a qualified electronic signature and installing compatible software, with strict penalties for violators including fines of up to 300,000 rubles for companies and up to six years in prison for major forgery cases.
According to estimates from the HSE Institute for Public and Municipal Management, coffee labeling will contribute to reducing illegal turnover—which currently accounts for 13% of the market—and inject approximately 20 billion rubles in additional tax revenue into the state budget over the next six years, while enabling consumers to check product safety directly via a mobile application.
