In the Arkhangelsk region continues the introduction of digital ID in shopping facilities

The required age confirmation software via the national MAX messenger is installed in more than 840 regional and federal retail facilities.

If earlier it was advisory in nature, then from September 1, 2026, sellers are required to accept digital data on the age of the buyer through the MAX messenger on a par with paper documents when selling goods with age restrictions.

Regional players are consistently connected to the system. For example, in 10 stores of the retail network “Petrovsky” the reception of digital ID has already been implemented. Shops of consumer cooperation of the Arkhangelsk region are also connected - among the first digital age verification was introduced in the Arkhangelsk store of the Vazhskoe software.

- The network of consumer cooperation stores has more than 400 retail facilities throughout the Arkhangelsk region, and they are also preparing for the introduction of a digital ID, said Elena Shepeleva, Chairman of the Oblpotrebsoyuz. For retailers, this is an opportunity to increase the ease of service, speed up the work of cash desks and strengthen customer loyalty.

How it works in practice: when buying products with age restrictions, the buyer presents a dynamic QR code in the profile of the MAX messenger, which is regularly updated and protected by the electronic signature of the Ministry of Digital Affairs. The cashier scans the code and the system automatically confirms the “age confirmed” status. If the buyer has not reached the right age, the cashier blocks the sale.

- The use of a digital ID in the sale of goods with an age restriction gives advantages to three parties at once - the store, the buyer and the state, said Irina Bazhanova, Minister of Agroindustrial Complex and Trade of the Arkhangelsk Region. Such a tool simultaneously increases the comfort of customers, optimizes the work of cash registers and helps businesses comply with the law.

For buyers, the system is convenient because you do not need to carry a passport: a smartphone is enough. At the same time, personal data are not disclosed to the cashier and are not stored in the cash register system - only the minimum necessary status is transferred.

For businesses, the introduction of a digital ID reduces the risks of fines for sale to minors: the confirmation status is fixed in the cash register and is a legally significant trace. In addition, verification automation speeds up service and eliminates the human factor - the cashier does not need to study the document, compare photos and search for a date of birth. The system also provides transparency and the possibility of internal audit: the history of inspections can be downloaded for control or at the request of supervisory authorities.

For the state, the digital footprint of each inspection allows for regional compliance with the 18+ sales rules, and the cryptographic protection of the dynamic QR code makes it impossible to forge or reuse.