Attestation of Foreign Organizations

For foreign construction companies to enter the Belarusian market, it is necessary to obtain a package of documents. The main requirement is the possession of a certificate of conformity, which is required for the design/construction of facilities of the 1st-4th complexity classes. This requirement also applies to foreign contractor companies.

Is a certificate required for companies from Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan?

Despite the common EAEU space when performing work, companies from the Russian Federation, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan also need to obtain a certificate of conformity in Belarus.

Is it mandatory to have a branch for a foreign organization?

Yes, it is mandatory. The current practice of RUE “Belstroycenter” proceeds from the fact that opening a branch for a foreign legal entity is a mandatory requirement for submitting documents for certification. Opening a branch is a rather complex and lengthy procedure.

The period for reviewing documents in the executive committee ranges from 30 working days to 2 months.

We recommend taking this timeframe into account when planning your activities in Belarus for project implementation.

In which cases is a certificate required for a foreign company?

• First of all, it is necessary to understand which class the facility belongs to (facilities of the 1st-4th complexity classes are subject to conformity certification).
• Secondly, we recommend clearly defining the list of works to be performed. For example, not all types of construction works are subject to conformity certification; sometimes only a certificate of technical competence is required.

Certification of a foreign contractor is necessary if the non-resident plans to:

1. act as the customer of the construction project in Belarus
2. develop project documentation
3. perform construction and installation works
4. act as the general designer/contractor
5. provide engineering services or manage construction (technical customer)
6. conduct surveys of facilities

The full list of types of works for the purpose of obtaining a certificate is specified in List No. 26.

The types of works depend on the type of activity. For example, in construction, 24 types of works are subject to certification, but for certain construction works there are sub-types. For example, installation of external networks includes water supply/sewage networks and heating networks.

What personnel must be on staff of a foreign company?

It all depends on the type of works performed, the status of the construction participant, as well as the complexity class. For example, if a non-resident company plans to perform the functions of a General Contractor and engage in the construction of a 1st complexity class facility, the following personnel must be available:

1. 3 managers in the construction sector
   for example, deputy director in construction, deputy director – chief engineer
2. Engineering and technical specialists
   chief engineers, foremen/supervisors, cost estimator engineers – must pass a qualification exam at RUE “Belstroycenter”
3. open a branch in Belarus
   transfer part of the line personnel to work in the Belarusian branch
4. workers
   in accordance with process flow charts, and it is also mandatory to verify the workers’ qualification grades

The main issue that foreign contractors face: can internal personnel be used for certification purposes?

If foreign employees meet the requirements regarding education and work experience, certification of foreign personnel and obtaining a qualification certificate is possible. However, it is necessary to check documents, the availability of experience in the certification specialization and the compliance of the diploma, as well as to take into account the need for diploma recognition at the RIVSH of Belarus in certain cases.

What do experts from RUE “Belstroycenter” check?

During the procedure, the presence of certified specialists on staff, relevant work experience, the presence of a production control system, etc. are checked.

For successful certification (especially for the 1st-2nd complexity classes), a foreign company needs to staff its team with certified employees holding qualification certificates from RUE “Belstroycenter” and confirm the completion of implemented projects. All these stages are not easy to carry out independently; it is necessary to know the legislation of Belarus and especially the practice of government authorities. The assistance of experienced specialists will help you reduce costs and time.

For what period is a certificate of conformity issued?

A certificate of conformity in construction is issued for 5 years with mandatory annual confirmation of compliance with qualification requirements. Information about this is also entered into the register of certificates of conformity.

Useful articles on the topic

• Certification of a foreign contracting organization
• Opening a construction company
• Certification in construction: changes as of 28.02.2025
• Construction in Belarus: what permits are needed to avoid getting a fine