Russia, Issue 13 July 2016

Clarification on manual load handling restrictions in Russia

A letter issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security clarifies that manual load handling works are regulated by both Occupational Safety Rules for Cargo Loading and Unloading Works, adopted by Order No. 642n of 17 September 2014 and by Decree No. 105 of 6 February 1993 on Manual Loading Limits for Female Workers. The letter explains that the 2014 Rules do not contradict the 1993 Decree. The 1993 Decree sets the following load lifting and handling norms:

  • when load handling is performed in turn with other type of work (up to twice per hour) the maximum load weight to be handled is 30 kg for male workers and 10 kg for female workers; and
  • if load handling is performed constantly during work shift, the maximum load weight is 15 kg for male workers and 7 kg – for female workers.

The 2014 Rules set the maximum load for male workers as 50 kg and 15 kg for female workers if load handling is performed occasionally (up to 2 times per hour). Other load handling norms have remained the same as in the 1993 Decree.  Therefore, the Ministry clarifies that load handling works at facilities must be performed in accordance with both the 1993 Decree and the 2014 Rules.

Law: Letter No. 15-2/ООГ-2247 of 22 June 2016 on Works Involving Lifting and Handling of Loads

 

Simplified procedure for the approval of construction project documentation

The law amending the Building Code of the Russian Federation introduced a simplified procedure for the approval of construction project documentation. As of 1 September 2016, if project documentation is to be assessed for the second time, then its parts which have already been assessed and not amended since the last assessment, do not have to be assessed again.

Law: Federal Law No. 368-FZ on Amending the Building Code of the Russian Federation

 

Simplified procedure for obtaining a building permit and a permit to put a building into operation

As of 4 July 2016 construction project owners have the possibility to submit the information to the building authorities on the area size, height and number of floors of a building as well as some other information, in an electronic form or on an electronic data carrier.

Law: Federal Law No. 370-FZ of 3 July 2016 on Amending Articles 51 and 52 of the Building Code of the Russian Federation

 

Russia extends import ban for agricultural products and food from certain countries

Russia has extended, until 31 December 2017 an import ban for agricultural products and food originating from: USA, European Union, Canada, Australia, Norway, Ukraine, Albania, Montenegro, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

Law: Decree No. 608 of 30 June 2016 on Amending Decree No. 778 of 7 August 2014.

 

Waste ownership can be regulated by a contract

Clarification letter No. РН-03-03-31/9771 of 25 May 2016 explains that the right of ownership of wastes may be determined by a contract signed by contracting parties (legal or physical persons).

 

Rules for the creation and maintenance of the State Registry of Environmental Polluters

All facilities operating in Russia which are environmental polluters are required to have themselves registered in a special Registry.

Law: Decree No. 572 of 23 June 2016 on the Creation and Maintenance of the State Registry of Environmental Polluters

 

Guidance letter on works at height in Russia

A Guidance letter issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security clarifies that all workers admitted to works at height must have the relevant qualification. This qualification however does not exempt the worker from an internal training at the workplace on safe methods of working in the following cases:

  • if a worker is admitted to perform works at height for the first time;

  • if a worker is transferred from other workplace, provided that the worker has never undergone this type of training; and

  • if a worker has not performed works at height for one year or more.

Law: Letter No. 15-2/ООГ-1916 of 25 May 2016

 

Licence required for the import of gravel, rubble, sand and crushed stone

Starting from 1 July and until 31 December 2016 importers of gravel, rubble, sand and crushed stone require a licence in order to be able to import these goods into Russia.

Law: Decree No. 556 of 17 June 2016 on the Licensing of Import of Gravel, Rubble, Sand and Crushed Stone

 

New positions added to the Waste Catalogue

Federal Classification Catalogue of Wastes has been supplemented by over 100 positions. New types of wastes include wastes resulting from chemical weapon destruction, certain types of glass wastes and wastes resulting from glass manufacturing processes, wastes generated by manufacture of polyvinylchloride, etc.

Law: Order No. 311 of 3 June 2016 on the Amendments to the Federal Classification Catalogue of Wastes

 

Procedure for environmental monitoring for owners and operators of waste disposal and waste storage sites

As of 26 June 2016 owners and operators of waste disposal and storage sites are to perform monitoring of the state of the environment in accordance with the adopted procedure. Waste disposal and storage sites are specially designed sites and structures intended for waste placement (storage) and waste disposal, including waste storage and landfill facilities. The adopted procedure prescribes how a monitoring plan must be developed by waste disposal/storage site operators, the content of the monitoring program and the content of the report on the results of the monitoring which the operators have to submit to the authorities.

 

Law: Order No. 66 of 4 March 2016 on the Procedure for the Performance of Environmental Monitoring by Owners and Operators of Waste Disposal and Storage Sites