BIOT – Safety and Labour Protection: Russia’s Premier Occupational Safety Exhibition

BIOT

BIOT (Bezopasnost i Okhrana Truda – Safety and Labour Protection) stands as the largest and most significant international specialised exhibition and forum for occupational safety and industrial protection in Russia and the CIS countries. Held annually in Moscow, this event has become the definitive platform for professionals in occupational health and safety, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, government representatives, and industry experts to address the most pressing issues in workplace safety.

A Legacy of Three Decades

BIOT has been held since 1992, and 2026 marks a historic milestone: the 30th anniversary edition of the exhibition. The event is supported under the General Agreement on the Regulation of Social and Labour Relations between the all-Russian associations of trade unions, employers, and the Government of the Russian Federation. The organisers include the Ministry of Labour of Russia, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR), and the Association of Developers, Manufacturers and Suppliers of Personal Protective Equipment (Association “SIZ”).

The exhibition traditionally operates with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Rostrud, the Social Fund of Russia, Rospotrebnadzor, Rostechnadzor, major state corporations such as Rostec and Rosatom, as well as Gazprom, Russian Railways, RUSAL, and other leading Russian companies.

BIOT 2026: Dates and Venue

The 30th anniversary International Specialised Exhibition and Forum “Safety and Labour Protection” (BIOT 2026) will take place from 17 to 20 November 2026 at the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre in Moscow.

Visiting all BIOT 2026 events is absolutely free with prior registration. A free electronic ticket can be obtained through the official exhibition website.

Scale and Impact

BIOT has firmly established itself as the largest occupational safety event in Russia and the CIS. In 2025, the exhibition demonstrated its remarkable reach:

  • 31,547 professional visitors attended over four days
  • 420+ companies presented their products and technologies
  • 13 countries were represented on the exhibition floor
  • 89 regions of Russia were represented among visitors
  • 16,000 square metres of exhibition space
  • More than 100 business programme events, featuring over 200 speakers

Key Themes for BIOT 2026

The central theme for BIOT 2026 is “Safety as a System: Human, Production, Environment” (Безопасность как система: человек, производство, среда). The business programme raises the perspective from the level of the individual worker to the level of the entire enterprise safety system. The programme is structured around three pillars—HUMAN, PRODUCTION, ENVIRONMENT—with a cross-cutting axis of “Regulation and Digitalisation”.

A key focus for BIOT 2026 is the preservation and extension of workers’ resource capacity through the creation of safe working conditions and fundamental changes in approaches to their creation, including the use of new innovative personal protective equipment.

Comprehensive Business Programme

The BIOT 2026 business programme will span four days and include over 100 events in diverse formats. The programme addresses the most topical issues across the occupational safety spectrum:

Under the HUMAN pillar, key topics include: special assessment of working conditions (SOUT) with practical guidance for small and medium businesses; occupational risk assessment as the foundation of the entire safety system; unified standard norms and risk-oriented approaches to PPE selection (Ministry of Labour Order No. 767n); mandatory digital marking of PPE in the “Chestny Znak” system; new GOST standards for 2026; corporate medicine and prevention; psychological health, stress and burnout; first aid and life-saving competitions; safety culture and leadership; and training changes under Resolution No. 2464.

Under the PRODUCTION pillar, the programme covers industrial safety and asset reliability, including the completion of the six-year cycle of Rostechnadzor federal norms and their revision; electronic industrial safety declarations through Gosuslugi (Federal Law No. 304-FZ); fire safety with new sets of rules including SP 3.13130.2026; and risk management and industrial safety technologies.

Under the ENVIRONMENT pillar, discussions will address the broader context in which safety systems operate, including regulatory changes and digitalisation initiatives.

Practical Formats and Competitions

BIOT is traditionally a platform for significant industry competitions. Among these is the “Digital Olympiad on Labour Protection” (Цифровая Олимпиада по охране труда), an open intellectual tournament for occupational safety specialists. In 2025, 2,240 specialists from all regions of the country participated, with the 50 best competing in the final on-site stage at BIOT.

The 2026 tournament will be held in two stages: the first (remote) stage from 10 to 12 September 2026, and the second (on-site) stage on 19 November 2026 within the framework of BIOT 2026. Registration opens on 24 August and runs until 7 September 2026. Participation is free of charge.

Additionally, the Youth Programme (Молодёжная программа) is designed for career guidance, training, and development of personnel for domestic industry. It includes competitions in nominations such as “Technological Leader,” “Best Mentor,” and “Young Specialist”.

Market Context: The Growing Importance of Occupational Safety

The significance of BIOT is underscored by the robust growth of the Russian PPE market. In 2023, the Russian market for personal protective equipment reached over 280 billion rubles, with projections suggesting it could reach 350 billion rubles by 2025. Russia ranks among the top four global markets for PPE, following the United States, China, and Germany.

Approximately 8.4 million people work under harmful and/or dangerous conditions in Russia, and around 16 million workers receive personal protective equipment. Average annual expenditure on PPE per worker is approximately 17,900 rubles, rising to over 21,000 rubles for those exposed to harmful factors.

The regulatory landscape continues to evolve. From 1 January 2026, changes to the rules for financing preventive measures through the Social Fund of Russia include expanded categories of workers eligible for training in first aid and PPE use at the Fund’s expense; acquisition of automated dispensing systems (vending equipment) for PPE and washing agents; and expanded equipment lists including simulators and remote medical examination equipment.

Who Attends BIOT

BIOT attracts specialists from a wide range of industries and sectors, including oil and gas, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, chemical industry, energy, construction, transport and aviation, housing and utilities, healthcare, education, food industry, and social protection. Attendees include occupational safety specialists, heads of safety departments, HR professionals, corporate health managers, and decision-makers responsible for workplace safety and employee wellbeing.

Why BIOT Matters

For professionals in occupational safety, BIOT offers a unique opportunity to:

  • Discover new PPE products and technologies from Russian and international manufacturers
  • Discuss practical applications of PPE and occupational safety systems with experts
  • Stay informed about legislative changes and industry practices through the business programme
  • Compare solutions by seeing products in person and selecting the right fit for enterprise needs
  • Engage with the professional community of specialists, managers, manufacturers, and suppliers
  • Access practical tools through expo tours, master classes, game formats, and ready-to-use materials

Registration and Contact Information

Registration for visitors to BIOT 2026 is open. All events are free of charge with prior registration. The official website provides access to free electronic tickets and detailed information about the business programme.

As the 30th anniversary edition approaches, BIOT 2026 promises to be the most comprehensive and impactful occupational safety event in Russia and the CIS. For anyone involved in workplace safety, industrial protection, or PPE supply, BIOT represents an essential engagement on the professional calendar.