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Questions and answers
Short, self-contained answers, from the basics to practical situations. Answers expand when you click on them, but all of them are part of the page text.
Basic questions
How does the INN differ from the OGRN?
Both numbers apply to Russian legal entities. The INN is the taxpayer identification number; the OGRN is the primary state registration number of the record of the company's creation. Either one can be used to find a company in the EGRUL (Unified State Register of Legal Entities).
How does a certificate of conformity differ from a declaration?
In the EAEU, a certificate is issued by an accredited certification body after it has assessed the product, whereas a declaration is made by the applicant itself — the manufacturer or importer — and then registered. Both documents can be checked in the register.
What does the CE marking mean?
It is the manufacturer's statement that the product meets EU requirements. For most products the manufacturer assesses conformity itself; the CE marking is not a quality mark and is not issued by the state.
Can I check a European company from Russia, or vice versa?
Yes: many countries' registers are available online. For EU companies, check the national register and the VAT number in VIES; for Russian companies, check the EGRUL on the Federal Tax Service website.
Practical situations
A promotion ended earlier than advertised. What should I do?
Save a dated screenshot of the terms. In Russia, advertising for an incentive campaign must state its dates and where to find information about the rules (Article 9 of the Federal Law "On Advertising"). Contact the organiser in writing; if they refuse, turn to the consumer protection authorities.
Someone calls "from the company" and asks me to pay to new bank details
End the call and call back on the number from the company's official website. A change of bank details over the phone is a classic sign of fraud.
The seller sent a certificate as an image. Is that enough?
No. Find the document number in the official register and compare the product, the applicant and the validity period. An image is easy to fake.
The company is in the register, but the address is different
The company may have moved without updating its website. Ask in writing and check which address is in the contract: the address in the register is the one that has legal effect.
Related sections
- Guide sections
A map of the guide: checking companies, product documents, offers and sources.
- Practical articles
A step-by-step company check before a deal, plus a catalogue of upcoming publications.
- Reference
Terms, registers and documents: the essentials, explained.
Sources
- Federal Tax Service of Russia
- Decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission Council and Rosaccreditation registers
- European Commission: CE marking
- Federal Law No. 38-FZ "On Advertising", Article 9
Information is current as of the date it was prepared. Register addresses and rules change, so check the official websites before making important decisions.