FAS expects the uniform law on tariff regulation to be drafted for a couple of years

Russia needs a uniform law on tariff regulation, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Sergey Puzyrevsky, deputy head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia (FAS), as saying at the meeting of the Committee on competition law and antimonopoly legislation of the all-Russian non-governmental organization “Association of Lawyers of Russia”. According to him, the law should set forth unified principles for state regulation of prices, the procedure for making decisions on tariffs, basic rules for approving investment programmes, interaction of federal and regional regulators and consideration of disputes related to regional tariffs. 

“The problem cannot be solved through improvement of industry-specific regulation,” said the official. 

According to Sergey Puzyrevsky, long-term stability of tariff regulation should be ensured. 

FAS representative said the work on the bill was marked by disagreements with the Ministries of Transport, Construction and Energy. FAS opponents see no reason for a uniform law. They also point to absence of a full list of activities subject to tariff regulation and believe that open electronic system can be put into practice without the above law, through introduction of amendments into the Law on Natural Monopolies. FAS agrees with the latter comments but insists on the necessity of the law.

FAS says the drafting process can take about 2 years.