GOST 2.501-88 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 2.501-88 — Unified system for design documentation (ESKD). Registration and storage rules. Establishes rules for accounting, registration, storage, transfer and restoration of original, duplicate and copy design and technological documents used across industrial sectors.

Abstract

GOST 2.501-88 defines organizational and procedural requirements for the registration, inventorying and physical/electronic storage of engineering design documentation (originals, duplicates and copies). It covers recordkeeping forms and indexes, assignment of inventory numbers, methods for storing different sheet formats, handling of transferred documentation, procedures for restoration of damaged originals, and provisions for electronic document bases and backup.

General information

• Status: Superseded / replaced (later editions and a 2013 replacement exist).
• Publication date: Approved 17 March 1988; came into effect 1 January 1989.
• Publisher: Developed and approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR (Gosstandart); published by the Standards Publishing House (Izdatel'stvo Standartov).
• ICS / categories: Documentation systems / Design documentation (ESKD), Group T52 (design documentation system).
• Edition / version: Original 1988 edition (with later amendment(s)); later replaced by GOST 2.501-2013.
• Number of pages: Approximately 18 pages (standard booklet/PDF count as published copies indicate ~18 pages).

Scope

The standard applies to design and technological documentation for products across industrial sectors and sets mandatory rules for their accounting, storage, handling and restoration. It addresses both paper and electronic documents, prescribes inventory and indexing methods, formats for filing originals and duplicates, rules for transfer between organizations, and archival/backup practices to ensure preservation and traceability of engineering documentation.

Key topics and requirements

• Registration and accounting of originals, duplicates and copies (forms and inventory cards).
• Assignment and marking of inventory numbers on originals and every sheet.
• Rules for physical storage by format (A-series) and by grouping (by product, developer code, or method of processing).
• Procedures for transfer of originals between organizations and recordkeeping on transfer.
• Requirements for restoration of damaged or lost originals (including prerequisites and documentation for restored originals).
• Handling of electronic documents: storage in databases or on electronic media, backup, and indication of file formats in registration records.
• Retention arrangements for annulled or replaced documents and separation from active documentation.

Typical use and users

Engineering offices, design bureaus, manufacturing enterprises, document control and archival departments, quality assurance and regulatory compliance teams, and any organization that creates, stores or transfers engineering design documentation. It is used to structure filing systems, prepare archival copies, manage subscribers/applicability lists and to ensure traceable transfers of originals and restored documents.

Related standards

Part of the ESKD (Unified System for Design Documentation) family. Commonly referenced standards include GOST 2.102 (types and sets of design documents), GOST 2.301 (formats), GOST 2.503 / 2.503-90 (rules for making modifications), and other ESKD documents governing titles, main inscriptions and transfers.

Keywords

ESKD, GOST 2.501-88, registration, storage, archival, inventory number, document control, design documentation, originals, duplicates, electronic documents, restoration.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 2.501-88 is an ESKD standard that prescribes rules for the registration, accounting and storage of engineering design and technological documentation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers recordkeeping forms and procedures, inventory numbering, storage methods for paper formats, handling of originals and duplicates, transfer procedures between organizations, restoration of damaged originals, and basic provisions for electronic document storage and backup.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Design bureaus, engineering departments, document control and archiving units, manufacturers and any organization responsible for producing, storing or transferring engineering documentation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1988 edition has been succeeded by later regulatory updates; GOST 2.501 has later editions and was ultimately replaced by a 2013 edition (GOST 2.501-2013) in the updated ESKD suite. Organizations should follow the latest applicable edition or national implementation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the Unified System for Design Documentation (ESKD / ЕСКД) series of GOSTs that standardize formats, content and handling of design and technological documents across industry.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Registration, storage, inventory, originals, duplicates, document accounting, archival, ESKD, design documentation, restoration, electronic document storage.