Nikitin voiced proposals to update the national standard for ECG rating.

      October 17, 2025, 20:59 Politics Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin put forward proposals for updating the national EKG-rating standard for discussion. He presented them on October 17 at the A.D. Sakharov "Mayak" Academy platform during the plenary session of the EKG-Forum (18+) of responsible business "SO.ZNANIE."

      The discussion was attended by the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District Igor Shchyogolev, the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Volga Federal District Igor Komarov, Deputy Head of the Federal Tax Service of Russia Timur Shinaliev, First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation Olga Batalina, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Denis Butsayev, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin, and Governor of Vladimir Oblast Alexander Avdeyev.

      Shchyogolev noted that there are many companies in the country for which not only financial results are important, but also responsibility for the country’s future, regions and work collectives. According to him, more than 40 companies have already, on their own initiative, introduced corporate maternity capital in the amount of one million rubles upon the birth of a child. The state is interested in expanding such practices, and to provide a fair and transparent assessment of business contribution the EKG-rating was created — a comprehensive system reflecting companies’ trustworthiness, social and environmental responsibility. Based on this approach, laws on the development of responsible entrepreneurship have been adopted in 23 federal subjects of the Russian Federation, and it is expected that similar regulations will appear in all regions. Shchyogolev emphasized that focusing on leaders produces the greatest economic effect: "That is our goal."

      Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Volga Federal District Igor Komarov added that the adoption of regional laws on responsible business conduct is among the country’s priorities and aligns with the national goals set by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his view, the forum is one of the largest platforms where issues of human capital and workforce development, demography, ecological modernization of industry, digitalization of governance and educational work in the field of social responsibility are discussed. A separate focus has been placed on the introduction of the EKG-rating as a tool for assessing business reputation and incentives for responsible corporate behavior. Komarov stressed that such a system improves interaction between business and authorities to raise people’s quality of life, and therefore explanatory work is important for the wide adoption of EKG principles.

      The national standard "Business Reputation Index of Business Entities (EKG-rating)" has been in force in Russia since 2024 and sets out a methodology for assessing the level of trustworthiness, social and environmental responsibility of businesses. Assessment is carried out across three areas: "Ecology," "Personnel," and "Government."

      Speaking at the plenary session, Gleb Nikitin announced the law of Nizhny Novgorod Region "On the Development of Responsible Business" that came into force in August 2025. This is the first document in the Volga Federal District to enshrine principles and forms of support for socially responsible companies. The adoption of the law marked the start of forming a full-fledged system of incentives for responsible business in the region; implementing regulations are currently being prepared.

      Nikitin emphasized that regions have the right to determine their own priorities in terms of social responsibility. For Nizhny Novgorod Region the main focus is demography, to which significant resources are directed. He recalled that the region is the only one in the country to pay one million rubles for each child and expressed confidence that an additional million from companies would significantly strengthen demographic results: "If we address this issue together, the result will certainly come."

      First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation Olga Batalina thanked the governor for a systematic approach to increasing birth rates and noted the scale of the demography program "Osnova."

      According to her, the head of the region’s personal involvement in adjusting measures to support families with children yields tangible results, and joint efforts should put Nizhny Novgorod Region on a trajectory of growth in the total fertility rate.

      During the meeting Nikitin also proposed strengthening EKG-rating blocks related to support for the special military operation and inclusive employment. He noted that businesses still find it difficult to move toward guaranteed employment for people with disabilities, and that the EKG-rating could become a significant support in this work.

      On the sidelines of the forum an agreement was signed between the non-profit organization "Institute for Demographic Development" and the Association of Restaurateurs. The purpose of the document is to build an institutional approach to the family orientation of business with respect to employees as well as clients, consumers and partners.

      Earlier it was reported that leaders of the EKG-rating were awarded at the "SO.ZNANIE" forum in Nizhny Novgorod.

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