"Voluntary" requirements for project documentation submitted for state expertise: one cannot refuse - one can choose

Abstract: From the 1st of September 2024, developers of project documentation for submission to state expertise will have more freedom in choosing the ways of substantiating their decisions. Accordingly, the importance of specialists and with it the responsibility (especially of managers, chief engineers and chief architects of projects) will increase. This was announced in the RF Government Decree of 05/06/2024 № 589, which amended some regulations. In particular, this concerns changing the requirements of the Federal Law “Technical regulations on the safety of buildings and structures”. Compliance with the requirements of this document when preparing project documentation will no longer be mandatory – whether it concerns future facilities or existing ones, about construction or reconstruction. From the legislators’ point of view, this means convenience and progress, which the performers should only be happy about. The performers’ position is other. They are not yet sure that all this is for their benefit, which is what they share in industry-specific Telegram channels and chats. At the recent webinar “Updated list of “voluntary” documents (Order of Rosstandart 1112). Changes in paragraph 87. Cancellation of the mandatory list (paragraph 815) from 09/01/2024. Changes in the Statute on construction control from 09/01/2024 (paragraph 589 from 05/06/2024)”. Elena Chegotova, an advisor to the chairman of the Committee for Construction of St. Petersburg, gave explanations about what exactly has changed and how developers of design documentation should work after the 1st of September.

Keywords: project documentation; state expertise; technical regulations; technical regulation; voluntary list of documents; transition period; unified electronic register of requirements.