Which laws take effect in September?

      From September 1, a large package of measures to combat fraud comes into effect in Russia. Mobile operators are now required to block refunds from a mobile phone balance if law enforcement authorities suspect the use of these funds in crimes.

      The banking sector receives new tools to protect clients. A mandatory cooling-off period is introduced when issuing loans: four hours for amounts from 50,000 to 200,000 rubles and 48 hours for amounts over 200,000 rubles. Banks and microfinance organizations must carry out additional anti-fraud checks. Without such checks, they will not be able to demand repayment if a criminal case is opened.

      Citizens gain more opportunities to protect themselves from cyberfraud. It is now possible to appoint authorized persons to confirm transfers from accounts and to set a self-ban on entering into mobile service contracts. All multifunctional centers (MFCs) begin accepting applications for self-bans on credits and loans.

      Consumers receive additional protection from the imposition of paid services. Sellers are prohibited from forcing people to buy additional goods or creating conditions for automatic consent to their purchase. Buyers have the right to demand a refund for services provided without consent.

      In the housing and utilities sector, management companies, homeowners’ associations and housing construction cooperatives are required to provide owners with uniform annual reports on their activities. This will increase the transparency of their operations.

      In healthcare, the legislation introduces the concept of strategically important medicinal products, the production of which must be ensured on Russian territory. The role of medical insurance organizations in protecting patients’ rights is also strengthened in cases of refusal of medical care or its poor quality.

      For female students who are expecting a child, the amount of the benefit will be increased. It will now be calculated based on the subsistence minimum established in the region.

      Opportunities for minors to work are expanded. Teenagers aged 14 to 18 will be able to work on weekends and public holidays during summer vacations through employment services or as part of student work brigades. Student donors will have the right to days off when donating blood and undergoing medical examinations.

      In education, control over foreign agents is tightened. They are completely removed from pedagogical and outreach activities and deprived of state and municipal support.

      Changes are also being made to environmental legislation. In particular, the production of non-recyclable goods is prohibited, including multilayer and certain colored PET bottles.

      Citizen safety is being strengthened in several areas. Fines are introduced for selling potentially dangerous gas-containing products to minors. Administrative liability is established for the deliberate searching for extremist materials on the Internet, including the use of VPN services.

      On September 2, the procedure for suspending alcohol sales licenses will change. From that day, when violations are detected, a license will be annulled only for those outlets where a violation is found, not for the entire chain.

      On September 6, administrative liability is introduced for violations in tourism activities. Fines are provided for operating without the required training, violating rules for accommodating tourists, deviating from standards when conducting excursions, and publishing false information about hotels and excursion services.