Russia has introduced new standards for products and services. What is known

New standards for food and services are being introduced in Russia. The changes will affect bananas, beer, bread, persimmons, ice cream and beauty salons. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Food standards

The new GOST for fresh bananas, introduced on March 1, 2026 by Rosstandart, is aimed at unifying requirements at the interstate level. Most of the parameters have been transferred from the previous standard, so no significant changes in product characteristics are expected. Ilya Rusyaev, a business consultant, noted that logistics processes are already built according to similar rules, but premium grades can become more expensive if chains focus on purchasing high-end goods.

Updating the standard for brewing products from January 1, 2027 will expand the list of acceptable malts, including rye, buckwheat and oatmeal. Ekaterina Kosareva, Managing Partner of the VMT Consult agency, explained that in the medium term this will reduce the dependence of producers on barley. In her opinion, there will be no sharp jump in retail prices, as the market remains competitive, and large companies smooth out fluctuations with the scale of their business.

"In the medium term, expanding the list of acceptable malt, on the contrary, can reduce dependence on barley and diversify purchases. This is especially important in conditions of volatility in grain prices and due to logistical constraints," Kosareva said.

Requirements for fruits and baked goods

For producers of white bread, the new GOST, which will become effective on April 1, 2026, introduces flexibility in the issue of product weight. Now it is allowed to produce products weighing from 0.35 to 0.5 kg in agreement with the customer, which will reduce the price per unit on the shelf. Ilya Rusyaev stressed that the standard itself will not become a driver of price increases, as the main costs of the industry are related to logistics, packaging and electricity.

Starting from November 1, 2026, a standard for persimmons will be introduced, which will affect the appearance, taste and degree of ripeness of the fruits. Standardization can improve the quality of goods, but it also carries the risk of reducing the supply of fruits that do not meet the new criteria. In addition, a voluntary "Green Benchmark" is being introduced for fruits grown using environmentally friendly technologies, which will create a premium niche in the market with a higher cost.

Champagne Guest: what will be the new sparkling wine standard in Russia

The document will strengthen quality control from raw materials to bottles.

Prospects for dairy exports

In the standards for ice cream in 2026-2027, there will be a division into non-enriched and fortified products. Manufacturers will be able to add vitamins, trace elements, dietary fiber and probiotics to desserts. State Duma deputy Alexei Govyrin said that companies with their own laboratory facilities, ready to launch functional lines, will receive the greatest advantages.

"The greatest advantages will be gained by manufacturers who at the same time have a strong position in the classical segment, their own laboratory and technological base for launching enriched lines and export infrastructure," said Alexey Govyrin.

Regulation of children's haircuts and manicures

A voluntary standard is being introduced in the nail service industry on April 30, 2026, which large chains plan to use as a marketing advantage. Compliance with GOST can lead to higher prices at such points due to strict compliance with technological maps and increased time for the procedure. For the self-employed and small studios, this will create a choice between increasing the cost of services and maintaining the previous policy with an emphasis on accessibility.

Significant changes will affect from January 1, 2026, children's hairdressers, where new requirements for safety and organization of space are introduced. According to the standard, haircuts for children under 10 years of age should be carried out in the presence of parents, and waiting areas and parking areas for scooters and strollers should be organized in salons. Kosareva warned that this could become a barrier to entry for small players due to the high costs of infrastructure adaptation.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.