Rostandart approves new GOST standard for finishing new buildings

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Starting March 1, 2026, a new national standard (GOST) will come into effect in Russia, introducing measurable quality criteria for finishing work in new buildings. The document has been approved by Rosstandart, the Russian Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, according to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Construction.

The new standard aims to clarify the requirements for accepting finishing work, which were previously subjectively assessed, leading to disputes between clients and contractors. Measurable quality criteria can now be specified in contracts, technical specifications, and acceptance procedures.

A key innovation is the introduction of an eight-class finishing system (from 1 to 8), with each class having defined maximum allowable deviations and visual evaluation criteria. The GOST will cover all major types of interior finishing, including wall, floor, and ceiling work, as well as plastering, cladding, painting, and wallpapering. The range of finishing classes will allow the standard to be applied in both mass-market projects and higher-quality categories.

"Clear criteria in contracts and understandable inspection methods will help minimize conflicts, address most complaints during apartment acceptance, and consequently reduce the number of legal disputes for all market participants," said Anton Shalaev, head of Rosstandart.