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New signage and advertising requirements: how businesses can adapt to the Russian language law

2025-07-03 17:14 Legal Digest News
The State Duma has passed a law requiring businesses to translate signage, advertisements, and commercial designations into Russian. The changes will take effect in March 2026, and companies should start preparing now.

Key Provisions of the New Law

  • Signage & advertising must be in Russian (other languages may be included but must be secondary in visibility).
  • Trademarks & brand names remain unchanged.
  • Residential complexes & new construction projects must now use Cyrillic names (existing buildings are exempt).
  • Translation requirements: Russian text must match the original in font, color, and size.
  • Only government-approved Russian dictionaries may be used.

Impact on Businesses

  • Increased workload for marketing & design teams (rebranding signs, ads, websites).
  • Higher costs for brand adaptation to comply.
  • Risk of fines for non-compliance after March 2026.

How to Prepare

  1. Audit current signage and ads—identify what needs translation.
  2. Verify exemptions (e.g., registered trademarks).
  3. Redesign layouts to meet typography rules.
  4. Update POS materials, websites, and social media.

How We Can Help

Acsour offers full-cycle support for compliance:

  • Legal audit: Clarifying requirements and reviewing current materials.
  • Brand localization: Translating and redesigning signs, ads, and packaging.
  • Trademark registration (if exemption is needed).
  • Compliance consulting: Minimizing fines and ensuring smooth transitions.

Don’t wait until 2026! Start adapting now to avoid last-minute hurdles.

Contact us—our experts will help you implement the changes efficiently and cost-effectively.