On May 7, 2015 the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) issued Letter No. 01/4955-15-39 imposing a ban on importation to Russia of certain hygiene products manufactured by “Procter & Gamble Ukraine”, as, allegedly, they do not comply with certain Russian and EEU sanitary and epidemiologic standards. The ban came into force starting from May 9, 2015. It has no grandfathering exception for deals in progress. Since Russia…

The Russian State Duma is planning to impose limitations on government procurement of foreign software products (draft Law No. 7646787-6, introduced to the State Duma on April 9, 2015). According to the draft law, the Russian Government should establish a state register of “Russian software programs”. A software program would be viewed as a Russian product, if the IP rights for such software are owned by either the state, or a Russian non-governmental organization controlled…

It was announced on Friday that the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) circulated an e-mail to its regional subdivisions demanding to perform quality and sanitary tests of products originating from Ukraine. The quality and sanitary tests should be performed with respect to 15 specifically listed types of products: cosmetic products, soap, perfumes (HS code 330300), household chemicals (HS code 340220), wallpaper (HS codes 481420 and 481490), furniture,…

Baker & McKenzie’s London office is holding its annual Anti-Bribery, Export Controls and Trade Sanctions Compliance Seminar for in-house counsel and compliance managers on Thursday, 5 February 2015. The morning is an introductory session aimed at those who are new to EU, UK and US export controls and trade sanctions or who would benefit from a refresher. The afternoon session is intended for anyone who wishes to increase their understanding of UK and US anti-bribery…