Putin signs law on business ombudsman reform in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a law that radically changes the status and functioning of the business ombudsman responsible for protecting entrepreneurs' rights. Under the new regulation, the ombudsman becomes a public position, and Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs President Alexander Shokhin has been appointed as the new ombudsman.

Scraper SystemJune 26, 2026, 07:48 PM

Putin signs law on business ombudsman reform in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law reforming the institution of the Presidential Commissioner (business ombudsman) established to protect entrepreneurs' rights in Russia. The relevant document was published on the official internet portal for legal regulations.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced at the end of May that the business ombudsman institution would change its format and become a public position. In the same statement, Peskov said that Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) President Alexander Shokhin had been appointed as the new Commissioner for Entrepreneurs' Rights. Previously, Boris Titov held this position for ten years (2012-2022).

Under the new law, the federal-level business ombudsman is tasked with ensuring the protection of entrepreneurs' rights and interests from state bodies, local authorities, and officials. At the same time, the ombudsman is prohibited from being a member of the Federation Council, the State Duma, or a regional legislative body. Within 14 days of the appointment, they must terminate all activities incompatible with their status.

Changes in funding and organizational structure

One of the most notable innovations of the reform is in the funding model. The financial, material, and technical support for the business ombudsman will no longer be provided by their own service unit, but by an autonomous non-profit organization (ANO) whose founders include the Russian Federation and which will be designated by the head of state. The ombudsman will personally chair the supervisory board, the highest governing body of this organization.

The organizational, legal, analytical, informational, and documentation work previously handled by a unit within the Russian Civic Chamber is also being transferred to this new ANO. In the federal budget, a separate allocation for ombudsman activities will be included under the Presidential Administration.

Goal of "growing the business sector"

Alexei Govyrin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises, stated that the reform is necessary in the current period. According to Govyrin, the "business growth" efforts initiated by the presidential order require special attention. Govyrin explained that the essence of the regulation is for a person starting their own business to be able to progress from a micro-enterprise to a small business, and from there to medium and large enterprises, by obtaining conditions for growth, collaboration, and increased production.

The law entered into force on the day of its official publication.

Putin signs law on business ombudsman reform in Russia