Government strengthens control over compliance with barrier-free building standards

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved amendments to Resolution No. 303, allowing state architectural and construction control bodies to conduct unscheduled inspections at certain facilities during martial law.

Following the start of the full-scale war, state oversight in the construction sector was temporarily suspended to avoid placing additional burden on businesses and communities. However, legislation provided for the possibility of unscheduled inspections, but only with the approval of the relevant state authority. In the construction sector, this authority is the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development. This procedure required extra time and complicated the oversight process.

The proposed changes simplify the state supervision mechanism – inspections can now be carried out directly at designated facilities without a separate decision from the relevant Ministry. Such inspections will be permitted only in two cases:

• if it is necessary to verify compliance with accessibility requirements for people with disabilities, parents with prams, older people, and other low-mobility groups;
• if the construction is financed from the state or local budgets.

Inspections will be conducted only in safe areas where no combat operations are taking place.

Barrier-free access is a cross-cutting principle of reconstruction. It is embedded in all new construction projects, and strengthened oversight will help ensure that every facility is accessible and convenient for all. The introduced changes will also help guarantee high-quality and safe construction, as well as transparent and targeted use of budget funds.