Federal Agency for Subsoil Use (UFAS) demands reduction in TKO export tariffs for local operators in Tomsk

Federal Agency for Subsoil Use (UFAS) demands reduction in TKO export tariffs for local operators in Tomsk

Tune-Up for Tomsk: UFASUncoversOverpricing of Waste Disposal Tariffs

Get the scoop on Tomsk's waste management drama straight from the streets! The Tomsk regional branch of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (UFAS) has uncovered some steaming spoonfuls of dubious pricing from the Department of Tariff Regulation in Tomsk Oblast.

Apparently, the Department hiked up the tariffs for all regional operators handling Trash Compacted Objects (TCO) in 2024, and our antitrust pals at UFAS ain't too chuffed about it.

From what we hear, Tomsk Oblast was already divided into seven 'trash zones', each with its designated operator—one of them being the operator for Tomsk and Tomsk Raion, who's been grumbling about the tariff not covering actual costs for ages.

UFAS alleges that the Department messed up the calculations for several operators in 2024, including Transsyib, Risk, Partner, ABF Logistics, ABF System, and (confusingly), ABF Resource (sources suggest ABF Resource may not actually be a waste operator, but rather a owner of a waste sorting complex in Seversk).

UFAS has got some stern words for the Department: "Temporarily, UFAS RF has found the Department's actions to be contrary to the law. By 1 June 2025, they are obligated to rectify these errors by:1. Revoking long-term regulation parameters;2. Excluding unjustified expenses from the tariffs;3. Verifying the accounting of subsidies and correcting the tariffs based on double accounting discovery;4. Upholding economically reasonable tariffs for 2025, considering rectified errors."

According to RIA Tomsk, the regional Department of Tariff Regulation is currently reviewing UFAS's instructions, which will conclude by 1 June. After this review, final decisions will be made.

Back in the day, the operators were as follows: OOO Transsyib in Zone 1 (Alexandrovskiy Raion, Strezhevoy); OOO Partner in Zones 2 and 4 (Kargasokskiy, Parabelskiy, Bakcharskiy, Kozevnikovskiy, Shiegarskiy Raions, and Kedrovy); OOO Risk in Zone 5 (Kolpashevskiy, Verkhneketskiy, Chainskiy, Molchanovskiy, Krivozheinskiy Raions); OOO ABF Logistics in Zones 6 and 7 (Asinovskiy, Perlovskiy, Zyryanskiy, Teeguldechtskiy, Tomskiy Raions and Tomsk); and OOO ABF System in Zone 8 (Seversk).

Caught in the Crosshairs

When monopolies rear their ugly heads, our trusty antitrust friends step in to ensure fair competition. Typically, these investigations can lead to fines, price adjustments, or even compliance plans to prevent future violations. So you'd best believe the Department of Tariff Regulation is polishing up its methods! Keep an eye on the news for further developments in this exciting tale of trash, tariffs, and territory!

1. The Department of Tariff Regulation in Tomsk Oblast found itself under the scrutiny of UFAS, the Federal Antimonopoly Service, due to allegations of overpricing waste disposal tariffs in 2024.
2. Onion, the operator for Tomsk and Tomsk Raion, has been complaining about waste management tariffs not covering actual costs for years, and is among the operators whose tariffs were questioned by UFAS in 2024.
3. By June 1, 2025, the Department of Tariff Regulation is obligated to rectify the identified errors in tariff regulation, including revoking long-term regulation parameters, excluding unjustified expenses, verifying subsidies, and upholding economically reasonable tariffs for 2025.
4. Several industry players, including Transsyib, Risk, Partner, ABF Logistics, ABF System, and ABF Resource, have been under the microscope of UFAS regarding their 2024 tariff calculations, with potential impacts on the finance and business sectors.

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