Technical Regulation, Construction Norms and Standards
Mandatory versus voluntary
Under the Law on Technical Regulation, a technical regulation is a mandatory document adopted by law or Government decision that states essential requirements: mechanical resistance and stability, fire safety, health, hygiene, environmental protection, safety in use, energy economy. A standard (national, or an international standard adopted nationally by the standards body) is voluntary by nature; it becomes binding on a project only when a technical regulation, a contract or the design documentation refers to it. This single distinction generates a large share of exam traps.
The normative base
Armenian construction norms (ShN - շինարարական նորմեր, and ShNP) were built on the Soviet SNiP/GOST inheritance and are progressively replaced by national documents. Where a norm has not been replaced, the older document remains in force. The norms are organised by subject: loads and actions, concrete, steel, masonry, foundations, fire, seismic, engineering systems, and the organisation of construction.
Conformity assessment
Construction products and systems are placed on the market through declaration or certification, depending on the applicable regulation, supported by accredited testing and factory production control. Armenia's membership in the Eurasian Economic Union means that where an EAEU technical regulation covers a product, its requirements and conformity marks apply and prevail over conflicting national mandatory requirements; national norms continue to govern design and construction where EAEU rules are silent.
Traps
- Quoting an ISO or EN standard as legally binding when nothing references it.
- Claiming all SNiP documents were annulled; many remain valid until replaced.
- Confusing a product certificate of conformity with design expertise or with a construction permit.
Rule of thumb
Ask "what makes this mandatory?" - a law, a Government decision, a contract clause or a design reference. If none does, the document is guidance, not law.