Russia Launches E-Cigarette "Honest Label" Pilot Program New Compliance Challenge for the Industry

Russia Launches E-Cigarette "Honest Label" Pilot Program
New Compliance Challenge for the Industry

Starting from July 14, 2025, Russia has officially launched the "Honest Label" (Chestny ZNAK) pilot program for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices. This policy requires all e-cigarette products (including disposable and reusable devices) to use Data Matrix QR codes for full traceability, ensuring that consumers can verify the authenticity of products by scanning the code.

The pilot program is expected to significantly reduce counterfeit and substandard products in the market and improve product transparency. With the implementation of this regulatory change, the e-cigarette industry will face new compliance challenges, and the Russian market will enter a new era of stricter regulation.

Why is this policy crucial?

• Combating Illicit Circulation: Approximately 65.8% of the e-cigarette products in Russia are illegally circulated. With the rollout of the "Honest Label" system, this percentage is expected to decrease substantially. The QR code will become the product's sole identity marker, ensuring traceability from production to sales.

• Accelerating Industry Compliance: The implementation of this policy will push the e-cigarette industry toward faster compliance. In the coming years, it is expected to become the global standard for the e-cigarette industry. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for brands' compliance management.

• Urgency: Currently in the pilot phase, all participating manufacturers must complete system registration and product information entry by August 31, 2025, or their products will be barred from entering the Russian market.

iPure's Response Measures

As a leading OEM/ODM company in the e-liquid (e-juice) sector, iPure has always been at the forefront of compliance and has made adequate preparations to ensure smooth product entry into the Russian market in response to this policy:

• Pre-planning Product Labels: We have reserved QR code areas on all e-liquid products intended for export to Russia and have ensured that the QR codes are clear, legible, and comply with Russian regulatory requirements.

• Enhanced Packaging and Compliance: We will optimize our packaging to ensure the durability and scannability of the QR code, and clearly label the "Scan to Verify Authenticity" prompt on the packaging to make it easier for consumers to verify authenticity.

• System Integration and Full Digital Management: iPure will integrate with Russia's Chestny ZNAK system to ensure that each batch of products is correctly registered, avoiding disruptions in product circulation due to compliance issues.

• Team Collaboration and Training: Our product, logistics, and sales departments will work closely together to ensure all preparations are completed before the policy is implemented. We will continuously monitor policy updates to ensure timely responses to future mandatory enforcement.

• Enhancing Brand Trust: As one of the first brands to be included in the "Honest Label" system, iPure will use this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to compliance and further enhance our brand trust and influence in the international market.

Industry Insights and Future Outlook

This policy in Russia is not an isolated case. Globally, several countries are advancing product traceability and compliance regulations for e-cigarettes. For example, the United States and the European Union are also working on similar label traceability systems. As global regulatory efforts intensify, the e-cigarette industry is moving towards greater standardization and transparency.

iPure will continue to stay aligned with global compliance trends and remain at the forefront of industry compliance, innovation, and quality management to ensure stable product supply and compliance support for our partners.

Disclaimer:
The policies and industry information mentioned in this article are for reference only. iPure is committed to ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of all content, but does not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or integrity of any information. The specific policy implementation details shall be subject to official announcements. iPure shall not be held responsible for any direct or indirect losses arising from the use of this information.