Russian companies have received clarifications on the application of new signage requirements. After discussions around the mandatory use of the Russian language, entrepreneurs were informed that they would not need to change the already agreed signage immediately.
The clarification concerns the rules of Russification of names of companies and services, which are due to enter into force on March 1. The main requirement is that information in a foreign language must have a complete and accurate Russian equivalent. At the same time, the Russian text should occupy the main place and be equivalent in content.
The situation with signage in the service sector is given as an example. If the inscription Beauty Studio is placed on the facade, then the correct option would be to indicate the Russian translation of "Beauty Studio". However, the order of text placement also matters. The Russian language should come first.
Previously, many entrepreneurs assumed that the new rules would require an urgent replacement of signage. This caused a sharp increase in demand for the production of advertising structures. Signage companies have received a large number of orders for March.
However, later the relevant departments clarified the procedure for applying the law. The business was allowed to use the existing signage until the deadline for their approval.
Dmitry Lavrov, CEO of the Mitch hairdressing chain, announced the clarifications.
"The Press Committee, which regulates signage and approvals, will monitor this law. They sent an explanation that these signs, which are already hanging and have been agreed upon, do not run and change, you can wait for the deadline for their approval."
According to the entrepreneur, the deadline for approving signage may vary depending on the city and the type of construction.
"Someone coordinates the signage for a year, someone for three, someone for five. The maximum term is five years. Only when you have completed the deadline for this approval, you will have to change this signboard to Russian, taking into account the new requirement."
This scheme allows companies to spread the costs of rebranding and avoid the simultaneous replacement of thousands of signage across the country.
The business community notes that many entrepreneurs have already begun to prepare for the changes in advance. This is especially true in areas where foreign names are widely used. Among them are the beauty industry, fitness, restaurant business and retail trade.
There are often signs with the names Beauty Studio, Barber Shop, Nail Studio and other English-language formulations. According to the new requirements, such names must be accompanied by an accurate translation into Russian.
According to Dmitry Lavrov, manufacturers of advertising structures have already faced an increasing workload.
"Those industries that make signage are currently busy. They don't have any empty seats for March, because everyone ran to redo their signs."
Market experts believe that the clarification will help reduce tension among entrepreneurs and avoid a sharp jump in the cost of redesigning facades. At the same time, over the coming years, most of the foreign names on city streets will gradually receive official Russian-language versions.
