Digital Innovation

How the laws define this

Both instruments establish that digital innovations constitute the subject matter or testing focus of experimental legal regimes (ELRs). Their key point of divergence lies in how they define the nature and regulatory status of the qualifying subject matter. The Federal Law on Experimental Legal Regimes in the Sphere of Digital Innovations (Federal Law No. 258-FZ) frames innovation broadly around technological solutions employing emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, and big data—that are not adequately addressed by existing regulatory frameworks. By contrast, the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 17, 2024 No. 185 takes a narrower approach, defining digital innovation as new or substantially improved products, processes, or methods. Rather than highlighting regulatory gaps, this Decree conditions innovation on implementation within legally specified areas and the use of specific technologies explicitly approved by the Government or the Bank of Russia.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.