Russia’s ‘Honest Sign’ App Has Told Shoppers the Truth 3.5 Million Times
A national product-tracking system is transforming consumer safety by helping Russians instantly spot expired or counterfeit goods.
More than 3.5 million product checks have been made in Russia using “Honest Sign” — a government-backed digital labeling system that lets people verify the authenticity and safety of products in seconds. The feature, available through the Gosuslugi state services app under the name GosScan, allows users to scan a product’s QR code to confirm that it’s genuine, legally sold, and not past its expiration date.
The system alerts shoppers if an item has already been purchased or entered the market without proper documentation. Russians most often use it to check clothing, footwear, dairy products, beverages, and pharmaceuticals — and the results are striking: Sales of expired dairy have dropped 122-fold; Illicit beer and tobacco sales have fallen by 78% and 79%, respectively.
Expanding Transparency, One QR Code at a Time
Launched in 2017, “Honest Sign” has become one of the most ambitious traceability programs in the world. Every year, the list of labeled goods grows. By the end of 2025, the system will cover children’s toys, and by 2026 it will expand to include ready-made foods, meats, groceries, and baby food.
For consumers, it means confidence that what they’re buying is safe and authentic. For businesses, it’s a powerful logistics and brand-protection tool that builds trust in the marketplace.
“Honest Sign” has quietly turned a simple QR code into something bigger — a digital watchdog for the nation’s supply chain.
