Recent Developments of Russian Law

New permitting regime for construction works in Russia

On 1 January 2009 the Russian Federation cancelled the construction licensing system whereby construction firms had to obtain licenses to perform construction work. Licenses that had been issued to construction companies prior to that date remained valid until 1 January 2010. From this date on any company wishing to perform construction activities, i.e. works that affect the safety of capital construction projects must be a member of a selfregulating organisation (SRO) and hold a certificate allowing it to carry on such works.

An SRO is a non-governmental non-profit organisation whose members are legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who operate within the same line of business. SROs operate on the basis of voluntary membership. SROs develop their own professional standards and rules that are binding for their respective members, and monitor their compliance with the requirements set out in