From January 1, 2026, the railway network with a 1520 mm gauge has introduced a mandatory requirement to install exclusively new bearings when forming wheelsets for freight cars. This decision was the result of the work of an interdepartmental working group, which in August 2025 considered the reliability and safety of using bearings in freight rolling stock.
Following this, the Railway Transport Council of the CIS member states approved corresponding changes to the guiding document RD VNIIZhT 27.05.01-2017, which regulates the repair and maintenance of wheelsets with axle box assemblies on main railways with a gauge of 1520/1524 mm.
To prevent non-compliance with the new standard, in December 2025, the working group additionally decided to introduce enhanced control by specialists from the inspection center "Acceptance of Wagons and Components." Inspectors will check compliance with the technology in all areas where new wheelsets are formed, paying particular attention to the use of only new bearings.