The Russian government is planning to increase tenfold fines for firms manufacturing substandard products, a first deputy prime minister said Tuesday.

Viktor Zubkov said fines would be raised from the current 500-50,000 rubles ($16-$1,600) to 5,000-500,000 ($160-$16,000).

He added that final proposals would be submitted to the Cabinet by April 1.

"We act on the assumption that businesses have received plenty of leeway but if they violate [regulations], they will face stiffer fines," he said.

On February 15, Russia scrapped the mandatory certification of perfumery, cosmetics and foodstuffs, which had been in effect for almost 20 years.

MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti)