In this article, the Standards and Quality team summarizes the key changes that have already come into effect or will come into effect during 2026, and provides practical recommendations for adaptation.
General logic of changes: from Soviet GOST standards to European regulations
Ukraine is consistently abandoning outdated Soviet-style regulatory documents and transitioning to a system of technical regulations harmonized with EU directives. This is not simply a change in the names of documents—it is a fundamentally different approach to responsibility. Whereas previously responsibility for product safety lay largely with the state authorities that issued permits, now the key player is the manufacturer or importer itself.
Each technical regulation specifies essential requirements for products, conformity assessment procedures, labeling rules, and the obligations of economic operators. Manufacturers independently choose the method of conformity assessment—from self-declaration to involvement of a notified body—depending on the category and risk level of the product.
Changes in the field of electrical engineering products
One of the most notable changes concerns manufacturers and importers of electrical equipment. The updated technical regulations for low-voltage equipment, harmonized with Directive 2014/35/EU, have expanded the list of products covered by its scope and tightened the requirements for technical documentation.
Certification of electrical products now requires manufacturers to compile a complete technical file, including risk analysis, diagrams, test results according to harmonized standards, and instructions in Ukrainian. Previously, some of these requirements were interpreted as recommendations, but now they have become mandatory.
At the same time, the list of harmonized standards for electromagnetic compatibility regulations has been updated. Manufacturers who referred to previous versions of the DSTU EN 55014 or DSTU EN 61000 series of standards must check the validity of the references in their declarations of conformity. A reference to a canceled standard automatically invalidates the declaration.
Construction products: new declaration rules
The technical regulation for construction products, harmonized with EU Regulation 305/2011, introduced the concept of a “declaration of performance” instead of the traditional certificate. This is a fundamental change: manufacturers now declare not abstract compliance with standards, but specific product characteristics — strength, fire resistance, thermal conductivity, water absorption.
Certification of construction products under the new rules requires testing in accordance with harmonized standards of the DSTU EN series and the preparation of a declaration in a strictly defined format. Manufacturers who previously worked under DSTU B must transition to the new standards within the established transition period.
Pay special attention to labeling. Construction products covered by the regulation must be labeled with the declaration number, harmonized standard designation, and declared characteristics. The absence or incompleteness of this labeling is grounds for removing the product from circulation.
Household appliances: stricter energy efficiency requirements
For manufacturers and importers of household appliances, 2026 brought stricter energy labeling requirements. The new energy efficiency rating system, which is already in effect in the EU, is gradually being introduced in Ukraine. Instead of the A+++ to D scale, a simplified A to G scale is being introduced with recalculated threshold values.
Certification of household appliances now includes verification of compliance not only with safety requirements, but also with energy efficiency and eco-design requirements. This applies to refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioners, and other appliances. The manufacturer is required to provide technical documentation confirming the declared energy efficiency class.
For importers, this means that they must obtain a complete set of documents from the foreign manufacturer, including energy test reports. Without this data, it is impossible to issue a declaration of conformity and legally introduce the equipment onto the Ukrainian market.
New labeling requirements: what must be on every product
The changes affected not only the content of the documentation, but also the physical labeling of products. The updated regulations clearly define the mandatory labeling elements for various categories of goods.
For products subject to technical regulations, the following are mandatory: name and address of the manufacturer; name and address of the importer (for imported products); type, batch, or serial number designation; mark of conformity with technical regulations; reference to the applicable standard or technical conditions. For products requiring CE certification, the CE marking is added with the number of the notified body, if it participated in the assessment.
A new requirement is to indicate a QR code or link to the electronic version of the declaration of conformity. So far, this requirement is only a recommendation for the domestic market, but it is already becoming standard practice for exports to the EU.
Transition periods: how much time is left
Each updated technical regulation provides for a transition period during which products assessed under the previous rules may continue to be marketed. The duration of the transition period depends on the product category and the complexity of the adaptation.
For electrical products, the transition period for most standards ends at the end of 2026. This applies to both low-voltage equipment and products covered by electromagnetic compatibility regulations. Manufacturers who are still working with older versions of the DSTU EN series of standards should urgently check the validity of their documentation and schedule retesting.
For construction products, the deadlines vary depending on the specific harmonized standard—some have already come into force, while others have a transition period until 2027. The complexity lies in the fact that different building materials are regulated by different standards, and each has its own transition schedule. For household appliances, the transition to the new energy labeling system must be completed by the end of 2026 for the main categories of appliances.
It is critical not to wait until the last day of the transition period. Laboratory testing, documentation, and product certification can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on complexity. Manufacturers who begin the process two to three months before the end of the transition period risk not making it in time.
What manufacturers and importers need to do right now
The first step is to review all current documentation. Check which standards your declarations of conformity and certificates refer to and whether these standards are still valid. Pay attention to transition periods—if a standard has been replaced, determine the deadline by which the old version is still valid.
The second step is to check the labeling. Does it comply with the updated requirements of the relevant technical regulations? Is all the mandatory information provided in Ukrainian? Is the conformity mark applied in the correct format? For products intended for export, check compliance with CE marking requirements in accordance with current directives.
Step three—plan retesting for products where standards have changed significantly. New versions of standards often introduce additional metrics or change testing methods, rendering old protocols obsolete.
Standards and Quality audits documentation for compliance with new requirements, helps determine the list of necessary actions, and supports manufacturers at all stages—from certification of electrical products to preparation of declarations in accordance with updated building regulations. The sooner you begin adaptation, the lower the risk of production stoppages or delivery delays.
