Andrii Ozeichuk on EU Regulation 305
Andrii Ozeichuk, director of the engineering and construction company Rauta, chairman of the board of directors of the Association “Ukrainian Center for Steel Construction” What does Regulation 305 provide for? As of January 1, 2023, the law “On making construction products available on the market” has been in force in Ukraine, implementing the provisions of EU Regulation 305/2011 and significantly changing the requirements for the safety and quality of building materials. By January 1, 2026, all
Andrii Ozeichuk, director of the engineering and construction company Rauta, chairman of the board of directors of the Association “Ukrainian Center for Steel Construction”
What does Regulation 305 provide for?
As of January 1, 2023, the law “On making construction products available on the market” has been in force in Ukraine, implementing the provisions of EU Regulation 305/2011 and significantly changing the requirements for the safety and quality of building materials. By January 1, 2026, all Ukrainian manufacturers must fully adapt to the requirements of the new law.
Resolution No. 426 of the Cabinet of Ministers extends the law to almost all construction products – from fasteners to chimneys.
The new declaration system in Ukraine
The main difference between the new regulation and the previous one, which had been in force since 2006, is its reference to European norms for the production of building materials. From now on, Ukrainian manufacturers must declare the conformity of their products with European standards and bear full responsibility for their quality.
Previously, product quality was confirmed by certificates under Ukrainian standards or by technical specifications (TU), which made it possible to produce low-quality products. It was enough for manufacturers to register their own TU or obtain a certificate from an accredited organization, thereby shedding a considerable part of the responsibility for the characteristics of the materials.
With the adoption of the new law, manufacturers are required to draw up declarations of conformity based on the requirements of harmonized European norms. They must also ensure constant quality control in production and take full responsibility for the declared characteristics.
Benefits of implementing Regulation 305
· Improved quality of building materials. The new requirements oblige manufacturers to comply with European standards, which guarantees a higher level of product quality and safety.
· Protection of consumer rights. The introduction of a unified quality control system and a liability mechanism will give buyers clear selection criteria and tools to exert pressure on unscrupulous manufacturers.
· Access to the EU market. Thanks to the unified certification system, Ukrainian companies will be able to export their products to Europe without additional testing and conformity confirmation procedures.
· Transparency of the building materials market. Declarations of conformity must be registered in the unified state electronic system in the field of construction, which will promote openness and trust between manufacturers, consumers and government bodies.
Risks of implementing Regulation 305
· Increased competition. European manufacturers gain the ability to enter the Ukrainian market freely without additional certification, which may put pressure on domestic manufacturers.
· Closure of some enterprises. Companies with outdated equipment may not meet the new standards, which will force them to invest in modernization or cease operations. According to expert estimates, this risk will affect no more than 1% of Ukraine's production capacity and will not have a significant impact on the industry.
Changes in European legislation
On November 27, 2024, the European Union adopted a new Regulation No. 2024/3110, which replaces the previous Regulation No. 305/2011. It entered into force on January 7, 2025, providing for a transition period of 1 year. It was Regulation 305/2011 that the Ukrainian law “On making construction products available on the market” was based on.
Main changes in the 2024 EU regulation:
· Stricter environmental requirements. Manufacturers are required to assess the life cycle of building materials and their carbon footprint, which will promote the reuse and recycling of resources.
· Introduction of digital product passports. The Ukrainian law partly takes this norm into account, since it requires declarations to be registered in the unified state electronic system in the field of construction.
· Simplified requirements for small and medium-sized businesses regarding the making available of construction products on the market.
· Stronger market surveillance. Supervisory authorities have been given more powers to check product quality, as well as mechanisms for the prompt withdrawal from the market of goods that do not meet the standards.
Conclusion
The transition of Ukrainian manufacturers to operating in line with the requirements of the new law is an important step toward closer integration with the EU. The new rules will encourage businesses to improve production processes and invest in modernization, which will raise product quality and expand opportunities for national manufacturers on the European market.