Russian certification and regulating body – Mr. Onischenko’s RosPotrebNadzor  (in plain English – the Federal Bureau Supervising Customers’ Rights and Human Well-Being) – has just issued a document that partially eases the burden on the wine importers in Russia and on their partners abroad. The document dated 13.12.2010 reads among the other things that there’s no need to apostil and legalize the copies of the documents certifying the safety of the product and the documents can be signed by any certified translator or an attorney.

Should we be happy with this small favour? I don’t think so. This is a mere drop in the ocean of what has to be done to civilize the wine market.