Restricting the use of foreign languages in business: new requirements from March 1

Amendments tightening requirements for the use of Russian in public information will take effect on March 1. These amendments affect a wide range of businesses, from retail and service providers to developers.

This is not a complete ban on foreign languages, but it does establish the priority of the Russian language when communicating information to consumers.

---

Public information is available in Russian.

Businesses are required to post information for public viewing in Russian as the official language. This applies to non-advertising information posted in publicly accessible places:

• signs;
• banners;
• icons;
• information stands;
• inscriptions in premises and on building facades.

Duplication of text in a foreign language is permitted, but subject to strict conditions:

• the content must be completely identical;
• the design (color, font type and size) must be identical;
• visual priority of foreign text is not allowed.

Thus, the requirements concern not only the content of the information, but also its graphic presentation.

---

New rules for developers

Certain changes affect developers who attract funds from citizens for housing construction.

The names of capital construction projects, including low-rise residential complexes, when used in advertising to attract funds from equity holders, must be written in Cyrillic. This requirement applies to projects not commissioned by March 1.

This means that:

• the use of Latin characters in commercial designations of new projects is unacceptable;
• advertising materials must be brought into compliance;
• The branding of the objects will require adjustment.

The law doesn’t prohibit the use of foreign words per se. The restriction concerns their form of presentation: the name must be written in Cyrillic, even if it’s a borrowed word.

---

What is not subject to restrictions

The new rules do not apply to:

• trade names of legal entities;
• trademarks;
• service marks;
• registered brands.

They can be used without translation or duplication.

---

General trend of regulation

The changes do not introduce an absolute ban on foreign languages in business activities, but they reflect a steady trend toward expanding the use of Russian in the public sphere.

It can be expected that further practice in applying the new rules will form clearer boundaries for the permissible use of foreign borrowings, including in the field of advertising and visual communications.

---

Practical steps for business

In connection with the new requirements, companies are advised to:

• conduct an audit of signs, pointers and other public information;
• check the design of texts for visual priority of the foreign language;
• revise the naming of new development projects;
• update advertising materials.

Timely adaptation will minimize the risk of claims from regulatory authorities and avoid the costs of urgently redesigning your business’s visual elements.