Ministry of Digital Transformation: Updated rules for developing state digital products

The Government has adopted Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 893, which reforms the approach to creating and developing state information systems.

The new rules make the process more transparent, faster, and accessible for Ukrainian IT businesses. The focus is on international standards, secure and high-quality IT solutions, and accountability at all stages of digital transformation.

Key Changes

• Streamlined Documentation: Only two documents are now required – technical requirements and a technical specification – replacing extensive paperwork. The mandatory development of operational and maintenance documentation has been abolished, saving months of work.
• Shift from Outdated Standards: Moving away from obsolete soviet-era standards to modern international ISO and IEEE standards.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity: Replacing cumbersome and outdated Comprehensive Information Protection Systems with modern Information Security Systems.
• Digital Documentation: Allowing documentation in electronic format, using open-source code and cloud technologies.
• Ban on Royalty-Based Licensing Agreements: Prohibiting royalty payments for state services to eliminate vendor lock-in and open the market to more companies.

How Does This Work in Practice?

Previously, modernising an electronic document management system required ministries to prepare 5–7 mandatory documents, develop a separate Comprehensive Information Protection System, and undergo lengthy approval processes using outdated standards.

Now, a technical specification with minimal documentation requirements and the implementation of a modern information security system based on international standards suffice. Preparation time is reduced from months to weeks, and instead of a single contractor, an open market with fair competition is fostered.

What Does This Mean for Ukraine?

A standardised and transparent process for developing software and digital products is established, transforming the state IT services market.

Development will no longer be limited to a narrow group of companies but will involve an open market, fostering real competition, better quality, and lower costs. State institutions will implement digital solutions faster, spend less on bureaucracy, and invest more in system quality.

For IT businesses, this means clear and transparent rules, the ability to use global best practices, and the removal of artificial barriers.

This will significantly accelerate digitalisation and reduce costs. All state services becoming available online is a realistic prospect thanks to these new standards.

International Significance

The new rules allow international companies to participate in developing Ukrainian state IT systems under the same standards they use globally. This opens opportunities for collaboration, leveraging global expertise, and attracting investment into Ukraine’s digital infrastructure.

Background

The resolution was developed by the Digital Competence Centre at Diia State Enterprise, with contributions from experts of the EU-funded DT4UA project, implemented by the e-Governance Academy, specialists from the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the GovTech Alliance, and representatives of the IT business community.