On October 1, 2026, a new law on the platform economy comes into force in Russia, which will become a key stage in regulating the activities of marketplaces and aggregators. The document sets out the rules for the operation of digital platforms, strengthens the requirements for transparency of their algorithms and introduces mandatory verification of partners.
The law covers intermediary platforms where sellers, performers, and customers meet: marketplaces, delivery services, service aggregators, and freelance exchanges. Now all such platforms are required to register in the state register of digital platforms. The responsible body appointed by the government will monitor the data entry, as well as the exclusion of unscrupulous players.
Among the main innovations is the requirement for transparency of algorithms for ranking goods and services. Partners should understand why their offers are in certain positions in the search results. It is also prohibited to arbitrarily restrict sellers' access to the platform or block them without legitimate grounds. All decisions of the operator must be specified in the contract and confirmed by objective reasons.
Marketplaces are now required to verify their partners through official databases — the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, or the ESIA. At the same time, all contracts will be concluded in electronic form and stored for at least three years. The terms of cooperation should be clearly stated in the documents.: commissions, the procedure for mutual settlements, rules for changing prices, participation in promotions, and a mechanism for pre-trial dispute resolution.
Special attention is paid to tax transparency. Platforms are required to provide the Federal Tax Service with information on the income of all categories of partners — from large companies to the self-employed. This effectively eliminates the possibility of working "in the shadows."
Additional guarantees are being introduced for market participants. The Partner has the right to refuse to participate in promotions or discounts that involve a price reduction at his expense. If the product card or personal account is blocked, the operator must notify the partner at least three days in advance, and restore access after the violations are eliminated within 48 hours.
The law also addresses the issues of the work of the points of issue of orders (PVZ). The premises must comply with safety standards, ensure the storage of goods and a transparent return procedure. If these rules are not followed, the responsibility falls on the platform operator.
Violation of the requirements of the law can result in serious fines: for legal entities — up to 500 thousand rubles. In addition, regulatory authorities will be able to demand the elimination of violations and compensation for losses to affected partners.
Experts note that the new law pushes businesses to automate and implement digital solutions. Platform owners will have to review contractual practices, implement monitoring and reporting systems, and establish effective feedback channels with partners and customers. This will minimize the risk of fines and ensure compliance with the new rules.
