The Ministry of Development changes construction standards: what builders must now consider

The Ministry of Development has approved Change No. 3 to DBN V.2.2-40:2018 "Inclusiveness of buildings and structures. Basic provisions." This document updates and clarifies the requirements for the design and operation of buildings considering modern barrier-free standards.

The changes have been introduced to harmonize Ukrainian construction norms with international recommendations, as well as best practices and standards to ensure the accessibility of the environment for all users. The document will come into effect on April 1, 2026, to give sufficient time for designers and builders to prepare for the implementation of new requirements.

Main points of the changes

• Organization of land plots and adjacent territories to buildings and structures, including the arrangement of pedestrian paths, curb ramps, and pedestrian crossings.
• Planning solutions for buildings, including ramp parameters, stairs, doors, sanitary and hygienic facilities, etc.
• Safety, navigation, and information means - clarified the use of tactile and visual accessibility elements.
• Parameters of evacuation routes in terms of fire safety.
• Sanitary and hygienic parameters and accessibility requirements.

Systematic updating of standards

The Ministry of Development is consistently updating the regulatory framework to ensure accessibility. The next step will be to update several more relevant documents, which guarantees the systematic implementation of barrier-free principles in Ukrainian construction.

In the course of developing the changes, specialists from relevant state bodies, the scientific and technical council, public organizations, and representatives of the expert community were involved. This work is part of the systemic activity of the Ministry of Development to update construction norms to ensure inclusion.

Nataliya Kozlovska

The Ministry of Development has approved Change No. 3 to the DBN, aimed at improving the inclusiveness of buildings in Ukraine by ensuring their accessibility for all users. The changes will come into effect in April 2026, to allow designers to adapt to the new standards. This is just one step in the systematic update of construction standards and improving the country’s infrastructure.