The Ministry of Finance did not propose to exempt marketplaces from liability when selling alcohol

The Ministry of Finance of Russia reported that the department did not offer to exempt marketplaces from liability for violations in the online sale of alcohol. Earlier, the Vedomosti newspaper wrote that the department had proposed punishing only sellers.

As noted in the Ministry of Finance, responsibility for violations should be borne by both the seller and another person who has a license to sell alcohol online. In case of violations, penalties should be provided up to the deprivation of licenses, the department emphasized.

The Ministry of Finance said that, according to the model it proposes, marketplaces must also have a license for the online sale of alcohol. “Given the expected increased requirements for sellers and their responsibility, such a model will more effectively enforce prohibitions and restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages,” the agency said in a statement (quoted by RIA Novosti).

The day before, August 15, the Vedomosti newspaper, citing sources reportedthat the deputies in the autumn session of the State Duma will introduce a bill on the online sale of alcohol. According to the publication, it was “conceptually approved” by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Roskomnadzor and RAR. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance proposed establishing liability only for sellers, and making marketplaces intermediaries. The FAS considered that the bill should include provisions on the “responsibility of all persons involved in the remote sale of alcohol.”

Read more about the regulation of the online sale of alcohol – in the material “Kommersant” “Alcohol is prepared for the distance”.

Olesya Pavlenko