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The Ministry of Industry and Trade Is Preparing Changes to Optical Cable Localization Requirements

05 May 2026

A draft amendment to Russian Government Resolution No. 719, which regulates the criteria for recognizing products as manufactured in Russia, has been published on the federal portal of draft regulatory legal acts.

The document proposes revisions to the localization requirements for fiber-optic cables. In particular, it plans to reduce the localization threshold to 70%, which would allow the use of imported optical fiber until 2028, pending the launch of full-scale domestic production.

Reasons for Revising the Requirements

One of the current criteria for confirming the Russian origin of cable products is the use of optical fiber manufactured within the EAEU countries. However, there is currently no actual production of telecommunications optical fiber within the union.

The only Russian manufacturer, Optical Fiber Systems, suspended operations due to equipment damage, while existing stockpiles of optical fiber are limited and may soon be depleted.

As a result, the current requirements effectively restrict cable manufacturers from participating in procurement procedures and fulfilling contracts.

Position of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

The progress of the proposed amendments was discussed by Irina Bulavina, Head of the Department for the Development of the Electrical Engineering and Cable Industry at the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, during a meeting of the telecommunications section of the Elektrokabel Association.

According to her, the ministry aims to adapt regulation to real market conditions:

“We are doing everything possible to make it easier for enterprises to participate in tenders. A draft amendment has been prepared that removes the mandatory use of Russian-made optical fiber and increases the allowable share of imported materials to 70%.”

The draft has already been approved by most federal executive authorities, and discussions are ongoing with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

What Will Change for the Industry

The proposed amendments provide for:

postponing the mandatory use of domestically produced optical fiber until January 1, 2028;
allowing the use of imported components under the updated localization requirements;
expanding and clarifying the classification of optical fibers in Resolution No. 719.

In particular, the proposal includes a more detailed product classification:

separation of single-mode, multimode, and specialized fibers;
inclusion of preforms as a separate category.

Significance for the Market

The revision of the requirements is aimed at removing regulatory barriers and creating realistic operating conditions for cable manufacturers.

On the one hand, the changes will help maintain supply stability and enable companies to continue participating in procurement procedures. On the other hand, they establish a direction for the further development of a domestic component base and the gradual tightening of localization requirements in the future.

Source: RusCable.Ru

05 May 2026