Vladimir Denisenko, General Director of the shoe company "Unichel", took part in the work of the Expert Council on Light and Textile Industry under the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship.

The topic of the meeting was dictated by a recent meeting chaired by the President of the Russian Federation,Vladimir Putin. After a conversation with representatives of the light industry, the head of state gave a number of instructions, including the need for legislative changes. One of the main issues is countering counterfeiting on the territory of the Russian Federation. Therefore, not only deputies took part in the conversation in the State Duma, but also representatives of the Government, the Federal Customs Service, the Federal Tax Service, and Rospotrebnadzor. According to official data, every third pair of shoes that is present on the Russian market is imported into the country illegally, without paying the necessary customs duties. Moreover, it is not checked in any way and often poses a threat to health.

Meanwhile, in 2011, the general article on smuggling was excluded from the Criminal Code and transferred to the category of administrative offenses. Therefore, even if customs violations are detected, a businessman-smuggler faces only a fine, which is more than compensated by subsequent trade. At the meeting, an example was given of a Moscow businessman who was fined 8 times, but this did not affect his activities in any way. He continues to trade in contraband goods. Therefore, a proposal was made to return such crimes to the criminal field.

"The trouble is that we have already contacted the Federal Customs Service, pointing to the open, uncovered trade in counterfeit goods," says the CEO of "Unichel", Vladimir Denisenko. However, we receive real unsubscriptions. They write: "in the presence of confirmed data, we are ready to consider the expediency of monitoring." That is, it turns out that it is we who should collect information and provide it to them. But I believe that everyone should do their own thing. I think an operational group should be created in each region from employees of the Federal Customs Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who will be able to go through all channels, all points of sale in a month. Moreover, no one is even hiding. Now special commissions have been created in the regions, but the results are not yet visible. 

Another problem is related to the function of Rospotrebnadzor. Now this service has neither legislative nor instrumental ability to control the toxic goods imported into the country. While in Europe, on the contrary, there is a strict order in this area. Therefore, even Chinese goods there have a regulated quality, for unsafe goods, serious punishment and a complete ban for the importer on further business should follow.

"The deputies see this problem and share our concern," comments Vladimir Denisenko. But it's not clear what needs to happen to get things off the ground. We need to look at our standards and compare them with European ones in order to extend their experience and system to our country. After all, it's obvious that it works for them.

By the time of the meeting of the expert council, it became known that the law on mandatory labeling was recommended for adoption in the State Duma in the first reading. However, this measure alone will not be enough to restore order in the market: it is possible to mark it, but who will then check which product was on the shelves of stores.

Initiative Vladimir Denisenko about the program of social support for low-income and large families was supported by a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The mechanism can be worked out, but the meaning of the proposals is to subsidize the purchase of shoes made of genuine leather and clothes made of natural materials, in particular from cotton and wool. According to initial calculations, this will require no more than 3–4 billion rubles. However, the advantages of such shoes and clothes for foot hygiene, proper development of the musculoskeletal system and skin health are undeniable. It will also stimulate the development of the domestic light industry.