Chestny Znak in a Gaming Center: Labeling and Tracking in IZI
Chestny Znak in a Gaming Center: Labeling and Tracking in IZI
Section titled “Chestny Znak in a Gaming Center: Labeling and Tracking in IZI”Chestny Znak (Russia’s national product labeling system — “Honest Sign”) is mandatory for Russian gaming centers. If your bar sells water, non-alcoholic beverages, juices, or tobacco, you are working with labeled goods and must comply with system requirements.
What Chestny Znak Is and Why the Club Needs It
Section titled “What Chestny Znak Is and Why the Club Needs It”Chestny Znak is a national digital labeling system. Each product unit receives a unique DataMatrix code (similar to a QR code but different format). The code is applied by the manufacturer and tracked through the entire chain: production → distributor → retailer → buyer.
For the club this means: when receiving goods you scan the codes and confirm receipt, when selling — codes are “extinguished” through the cash register. Any discrepancy (received but not reported, sold without registration) is recorded and results in fines.
Which Goods Are Labeled
Section titled “Which Goods Are Labeled”As of 2026, the following goods typically sold in gaming center bars are subject to labeling:
| Category | System | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes, heated tobacco sticks, vapes | Chestny Znak | 2019 |
| Beer and low-alcohol beverages | EGAIS (not Chestny Znak) | 2016 |
| Strong alcohol | EGAIS | 2006 |
| Drinking water (from 1.5 l) | Chestny Znak | 2023 |
| Non-alcoholic beverages (soda, juices, fruit drinks) | Chestny Znak | 2023–2025 |
| Dairy products | Chestny Znak | 2021–2022 |
Important: the list is expanding. Monitor the current list at chestnyznak.rf or through your EDO operator.
EGAIS (alcohol and beer) is a separate system with separate requirements and licensing. Chestny Znak does not replace EGAIS for those categories.
Registration in the System
Section titled “Registration in the System”To work with Chestny Znak you need:
- UKEP — qualified electronic signature. Issued by an accredited certification center. Cost varies by center (typically 1,500–3,000 RUB/year).
- Registration at chestnyznak.rf — free, through the personal account with UKEP.
- OFD connection — the fiscal data operator must support transmission of labeled goods data. Check with your OFD.
- Scanner — a 2D barcode scanner capable of reading DataMatrix. A standard linear scanner (for EAN-13) will not work.
Receiving Labeled Goods in IZI
Section titled “Receiving Labeled Goods in IZI”When receiving a shipment of labeled goods:
Through Electronic Document Flow (EDO)
Section titled “Through Electronic Document Flow (EDO)”The supplier sends you a UPD (universal transfer document) via EDO. You sign it — the system automatically records the transfer of code ownership in Chestny Znak.
If your IZI is integrated with an EDO operator, this process is partially automated.
Through Scanning in IZI
Section titled “Through Scanning in IZI”If EDO integration is not configured, or the supplier does not use EDO:
- Open the receipt form (Bar → Warehouse → Receipts → New Receipt)
- For each labeled item, scan the DataMatrix codes from the packaging
- IZI reconciles the number of scans with the entered quantity
- Data on received codes is transmitted to the labeling system
Verify that all scanned codes match the physically received goods. Do not scan codes for goods you have not received.
Selling Labeled Goods
Section titled “Selling Labeled Goods”When selling through the bar in IZI:
- The DataMatrix code is “extinguished” when a receipt is printed through the cash register
- The OFD transmits information about the code’s withdrawal from circulation to Chestny Znak
- This happens automatically with correct setup of the cash register software and OFD
If the cash register does not transmit labeling data automatically — check with your POS integrator whether additional configuration is required.
Writing Off Labeled Goods (Expiry, Breakage)
Section titled “Writing Off Labeled Goods (Expiry, Breakage)”When labeled goods leave without being sold (disposing of expired items, breakage on delivery):
In IZI: manual write-off with the appropriate reason (expiry, breakage). Standard procedure — see Write-Off: Spoilage and Breakage.
In Chestny Znak: additionally, the codes must be removed from circulation. In the chestnyznak.rf personal account:
- Operation “Withdrawal from Circulation”
- Reason: “Destruction,” “Loss,” “For Own Use”
- List of DataMatrix codes for the written-off units
These are two parallel actions — in IZI and in Chestny Znak. You cannot do only one of them.
Stock Count of Labeled Goods
Section titled “Stock Count of Labeled Goods”When taking a stock count of labeled items, the standard IZI procedure applies plus:
- Discrepancies on labeled items must be explained by specific codes
- If units are physically present but the codes are not “active” in your Chestny Znak account — a receiving error likely occurred (codes were not registered)
- If codes are listed as “yours” but the goods are not physically present — the codes must be withdrawn from circulation with the reason “loss”
Liability for Violations
Section titled “Liability for Violations”Selling unlabeled goods or goods in violation of labeling requirements:
- For officials: fine 1,000–10,000 RUB
- For legal entities: fine 50,000–300,000 RUB
- Confiscation of goods
Repeat violations or large scale — criminal liability (Article 171.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
Practical Recommendations
Section titled “Practical Recommendations”Do not accept goods without documents. If the supplier cannot provide a UPD or the DataMatrix codes will not scan — that is your risk, not the supplier’s.
Upgrade your scanner. If you have a linear scanner — it cannot read DataMatrix. Replace with a 2D scanner (from 3,000–5,000 RUB).
Verify codes on receipt. A scanned code must match the code in the UPD. A mismatch is a reason to pause the receipt and clarify with the supplier.
Consult your accountant. Requirements change: the list of goods expands, new rules are introduced for specific categories. An accountant or EDO operator tracks changes in your industry.
Related Pages
Section titled “Related Pages”- First Goods Receipt — general receipt processing procedure
- Write-Off: Spoilage and Breakage — how to write off labeled goods
- Inventory Procedure — accounting for labeled items during stock count
- Warehouse in IZI: Overview — overall warehouse accounting logic
Frequently asked questions
What is Chestny Znak?
Chestny Znak (Honest Sign) is Russia's national digital product labeling system. Each unit of a labeled product receives a unique DataMatrix code tracked from manufacturer to end buyer. The system was introduced to combat counterfeit goods.
Which goods must be labeled in a gaming center?
Tobacco products (since 2019), drinking water and non-alcoholic beverages (since 2023), dairy products, juices — if sold through the bar. Alcohol and beer are tracked in EGAIS, not Chestny Znak. The list is expanding — check the current list at chestnyznak.rf.
Does a gaming center need to register with Chestny Znak?
Yes, if you sell labeled goods. Registration at chestnyznak.rf is free. You will need a UKEP (qualified electronic signature). Without registration you cannot legally receive and sell labeled goods.
Does IZI send data to Chestny Znak automatically?
IZI supports scanning DataMatrix codes at receipt and write-off. Data transmission to the labeling system uses integration with an OFD (fiscal data operator) or directly via the Chestny Znak API. The exact process depends on your cash register configuration — check with your integrator.
What happens if I sell a labeled product without scanning the code?
Administrative liability: fines from 1,000 to 300,000 rubles depending on the violation and scale. Goods may be confiscated. The Chestny Znak system records product movement, and non-compliance is identified at inspection.
How do I write off labeled goods when they expire or are broken?
In IZI — through a standard manual write-off with the appropriate reason. In parallel, the DataMatrix codes must be removed from circulation in the Chestny Znak system through a 'Withdrawal from Circulation' operation with a reason (loss, destruction, other). These are two parallel actions.