Reference
The directive was drafted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade pursuant to the National Strategy for the Benefit of Children, 2012-2017, which was approved by Presidential Executive Order No. 761 of June 1, 2012, and Government Directive No. 1916-r of October 15, 2012.
The Strategy outlines the key concepts and the terms used to describe the children’s products industry, and includes an analysis of its condition and structure, an assessment of the existing problems in this industry and prospects for its development. It also proposes measures to incentivise and support businesses in the industry, and establishes stages and deadlines as well as expected results.
The Strategy identifies development of the children’s products industry as an economic priority. The industry is linked to at least 15 other industries and spheres, including culture, education, healthcare, social services. Experts estimate that over 300,000 people are employed by the children’s products industry. The document also delineates the structure of the children’s product market, broken down by categories of goods, and points to major problems in the industry.
The document emphasises the need for the children’s products industry to transition to an innovative development model. For this purpose, there are plans to develop the Childhood Infrastructure technology platform, an innovative industry cluster, several technology parks and industrial design centres.
The Strategy includes the following measures:
- standardising children’s products, which will be subject to common requirements;
- improving customs control of export/import of children’s goods;
- supporting the upgrade of industry producers’ technological capabilities under the state programme Developing Industry and Increasing Competitiveness, and several other state programmes;
- stimulating demand for children’s products;
- improving the industry’s workforce.
The Strategy is to be implemented in three stages.
The first stage (2013-2015) is aimed at improving the regulatory framework and government oversight of mandatory requirements for the children’s products being sold on the market. It is expected that during this stage an innovative industrial cluster and a technology platform for implementing new developments in the children’s products industry will be formed on the basis of research and production cooperation.
During the second stage (2016 – 2018), the conditions will be created to increase investment demand by upgrading the technology and increasing the capacities of Russian manufacturers. Another measure is to change the export structure by promoting hi-tech products and solutions and by introducing professional standards.
During the third stage (2019-2020) the infrastructure of the children’s products industry will be upgraded and investment projects covering the entire industry will be completed.
The funding scheme and the amounts involved will be described in the state programme Developing Industry and Increasing Competitiveness.
The first stage of measures aimed at developing the children’s products industry comprises an immediate action plan.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade is the federal executive body responsible for formulating government policy and regulations in the children’s products industry.
The draft strategy and the draft immediate plan have been discussed by the Government on June 6, 2013, and approved following discussion.