EAEU drug marking 2026 — Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus run separate systems until August 2026 deadline
In 2018, the EAEU member states signed the Agreement on Marking Goods with Identification Means. The text contained all the right words about a unified system, an integration component, and interaction among national operators. Eight years later, each country has its own marking system, its own operator, a separate electronic document management (EDM) format, and an incompatible electronic signature.
A Russian manufacturer wishing to sell medicines in Kazakhstan must register in two marking systems, obtain two types of electronic signatures, and set up integration with two different APIs. If Belarus is included in the scope, there is no drug marking there at all yet, and the Belarusian exporter must register in the destination country’s system independently.
Let us break down how the three national systems are structured, where they diverge, and what to do about it.
The Promise of 2018
The Agreement on Marking Goods with Identification Means in the EAEU was signed on February 2, 2018, in Almaty. Article 10 obligated the member states to ensure «the interaction of national components and the integration component of the information system for marking goods» through the integrated information system of the Union.
The logic was sound: a manufacturer applies the marking once, receives a unified code recognized in all member states, and the system automatically transmits the data along the chain.
In reality, each member state built its infrastructure at its own pace and for its own needs. Russia launched mandatory marking for medicinal products (hereinafter — MPs) on July 1, 2020. Kazakhstan introduced full marking on July 1, 2024. Belarus has still not implemented MP marking to this day. As a result, instead of a single system, three systems emerged that do not communicate with each other in real time.
How Each System Is Structured
Russia — MDLP
The Drug Movement Monitoring System (MDLP) has been operational since July 1, 2020. The system operator is the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (CRPT), the same entity that manages the Chestny Znak platform.
Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 1556 dated December 14, 2018, «On Approval of the Regulation on the Drug Movement Monitoring System» (hereinafter — GD No. 1556) establishes the list of operations that turnover participants must report to the system: entry into circulation, transfer between legal entities, and withdrawal from circulation upon retail sale or use within a medical institution.
The marking code is in the DataMatrix format per the GS1 standard and consists of three elements: a GTIN, a serial number, and a cryptographic check value (crypto-tail). The cost of one code is RUB 0.50 excluding VAT. Working in the system requires an enhanced qualified electronic signature (UKEP). Manufacturers additionally receive a code emission registrar or remote access to one.
The testing period for information interaction during registration is 2 calendar months. Only after successful testing does a participant gain access to the production environment.
Table 1. Technical Parameters of MDLP
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operator | CRPT (Chestny Znak platform) |
| Code Format | DataMatrix (GS1) |
| Code Composition | GTIN + serial number + crypto-tail |
| Signature | UKEP |
| Code Cost | RUB 0.50 excluding VAT |
| EDM | Mandatory through an accredited operator |
| Launch Date | 01.07.2020 |
Kazakhstan — IS MPT
The Information System for Marking and Traceability of Goods (IS MPT) in Kazakhstan was launched in phases. From July 1, 2022, 90 trade names were subject to marking; from July 1, 2024, the requirement expanded to 100% of MPs.
The system operator is JSC Kazakhtelecom (the Single Operator). Technical support for connection inquiries is available at mark@ismet.kz.
The architecture consists of three subsystems, each with its own function:
Table 2. Components of Kazakhstan’s Marking System
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| IS MPT | Main accounting and traceability system |
| IS CEDM | Center for Electronic Document Management of Marked Goods |
| SUZ-Cloud | Order Management Station for marking codes |
Regulatory basis: Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. QR DSM-11 dated January 27, 2021, «On Approval of the Rules for Marking and Traceability of Medicines» (as amended on December 13, 2024) (hereinafter — Order No. DSM-11). According to the Order, medicines are considered marked if they bear identification means and information about them is contained in the IS MPT.
To begin working in the system, a participant needs: registration on the ismet.kz portal, an electronic digital signature (EDS), and a GTIN for each product (obtained through the national GS1 organization of Kazakhstan). Integration of the accounting system with the operator’s API is also required. The code cost is KZT 2.40 excluding VAT, which is comparable to the Russian RUB 0.50.
Starting February 1, 2025, a function to verify the marking code owner was introduced in IS MPT. Previously, participants could generate traceability documents without being the actual code owners. Now, ownership transfer is checked at every step of the chain, requiring more careful handling during goods receipt.
Belarus — A System Without Medicines
Belarus operates the Electronic Sign system managed by RUE Publishing House Belblankavyd. It covers several product groups: footwear, tires, light industry goods, and dairy products. The system is deeply integrated with electronic consignment notes.
MP marking has not been introduced into the Belarusian system. Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 877 dated November 25, 2024, «On Traceability of Goods» postponed the launch of several categories to October 1, 2025; however, medicines were not included in this list.
For other goods, code exchange between Belarus and Russia is already operational: since April 18, 2024, Belarusian entities have been receiving Russian-standard marking codes through RUE Belblankavyd for shipments to Russia. No equivalent mechanism exists for MPs.
A Belarusian pharmaceutical manufacturer exporting to Russia or Kazakhstan must register in MDLP or IS MPT as a foreign participant, independently obtain marking codes, and report within the destination country’s system.
Cross-Operator Integration: Current Status
Decision of the EEC Council No. 41 dated April 23, 2021, «On Unified Mechanisms of Cryptographic Protection for Marking Goods with Identification Means in the EAEU» (as amended on October 17, 2022) (hereinafter — Decision No. 41) established a two-stage transition to unified cryptographic protection.
Until August 1, 2026, each country applies its own national cryptographic protection standards. Codes created under these standards are mutually recognized in cross-border trade, provided their characteristics meet the general requirements approved by the EEC Council.
Starting August 1, 2026, all member states must transition to unified cryptographic protection methods based on the interstate standard GOST 34.10-2018. Codes issued before this date remain valid for the entire duration of the goods’ circulation period.
Subparagraph (d) of Decision No. 41 describes how cross-border trade verification currently works: through requests between national operators using the integrated information system of the Union. This is an inter-operator request for each individual code. There is currently no single synchronized database covering the entire EAEU.
Table 3. Integration Status Between Systems (June 2026)
| Country Pair | Status for MPs |
|---|---|
| Russia — Kazakhstan | Testing phase. Full automated exchange has not been launched |
| Russia — Belarus | Exchange works for other goods; for MPs — it does not |
| Kazakhstan — Belarus | No direct interaction |
How Cross-Border Supply Works Today
Consider the delivery of marked MPs from Russia to Kazakhstan — the most common cross-border trade scenario in the EAEU.
The Russian exporter performs a «Shipment in Cross-Border Trade» operation within MDLP. The operation specifies the marking codes of the shipped packages and the recipient’s details, after which the data is sent through the EEC integration gateway to IS MPT.
After the goods physically cross the border and the Kazakh importer completes receipt, they confirm acceptance within their system, and ownership of the marking codes transfers to them.
In practice, this chain does not always run smoothly. If master data about the product (GTIN, product name, packaging attributes) diverges between the Russian and Kazakh systems, automated code verification is rejected and requires manual reconciliation. Resolving the data discrepancy takes time, leaving the goods stuck in an unresolved status in the interim.
What to Do
Build a market matrix. For each EAEU country where your products are sold or planned for sale, document: registration status in the national system, availability of the required electronic signature, and readiness of the accounting system for integration. Any blank column marks your entry point.
Choose a connection architecture. Three options: a unified accounting system (ERP) with a universal module for multiple operators suits large companies with an in-house IT team. A separate local module for each country is simpler to implement but harder to maintain at high volumes. Outsourcing to a specialized operator works well when entering a new market or handling small shipment volumes.
Verify product master data. Before the first cross-border shipment, confirm that the GTIN, product name, and packaging attributes match exactly in both the Russian and Kazakh systems. Discrepancies are far easier to resolve before dispatch than during receipt.
Prepare for the transition to GOST 34.10-2018 before August 1, 2026. Confirm with your accounting system provider when the cryptographic module update will be available. If you use an in-house developed system, allocate resources for the upgrade. Codes issued before the transition date remain valid, but generating new ones under the obsolete standard will not be permitted after August 1, 2026.
Monitor the Belarusian direction. Once Belarus introduces MP marking, integration with yet another system will be required. Until then, when exporting to or from Belarus, record the marking in the destination country’s system and retain all supporting documentation.
A unified marking infrastructure across the EAEU will not emerge until member states resolve the cryptographic protection issue and launch full cross-operator synchronization. Until 2027, the wiser investment is a flexible architecture that allows new national systems to be added without overhauling the entire solution.
Regulatory Framework:
1.. Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 877 dated 25.11.2024 «On Traceability of Goods»
2. Agreement on Marking Goods with Identification Means in the EAEU dated 02.02.2018 (Almaty)
3. Decision of the EEC Council No. 41 dated 23.04.2021 «On Unified Mechanisms of Cryptographic Protection for Marking Goods with Identification Means in the EAEU» (as amended on 17.10.2022)
4. Decision of the EEC Council No. 76 dated 03.11.2016 «On Approval of Requirements for Marking Medicinal Products for Medical Use» (as amended on 15.05.2025)
5. Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 1556 dated 14.12.2018 «On Approval of the Regulation on the Drug Movement Monitoring System» (as amended on 29.09.2025)
6. Order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. QR DSM-11 dated 27.01.2021 «On Approval of the Rules for Marking and Traceability of Medicines» (as amended on 13.12.2024)