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Attorney at Law (Germany)
Industrial safety in Uzbekistan: Rules and reforms
- Uzbekistan improves safety at hazardous industrial facilities
- State control helps reduce risks and accidents in industry
- Operators must follow safety rules and monitor processes
- New reforms focus on digital tools and risk management
Industrial safety in Uzbekistan is becoming more modern and effective. New laws, stricter control, and digital tools are changing how hazardous facilities are managed. How does the system work in practice, and what responsibilities do companies face? This article provides a clear overview of the key rules and recent developments.
Introduction
Industrial safety of hazardous production facilities (HPFs) in Uzbekistan is governed by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the Industrial Safety of Hazardous Production Facilities” No. LRU-57, dated 28 September 2006¹ (as currently amended). This law serves as the foundation of the legal framework aimed at preventing accidents, localizing their consequences, and ensuring the protection of public life and health.
It is noteworthy that as part of the “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy, and in accordance with the Presidential Decree No. DP-224 dated 24 December 2024², a new draft Law “On the Industrial Safety of Hazardous Production and Potentially Hazardous Facilities”³ is currently being finalized. This document is designed to systematize state support and industrial control measures, integrating safety requirements with the digital transformation of the industry and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards
Definition and classification of hazardous production facilities
Hazardous production facilities (hereinafter – “HPF”) are defined as enterprises, workshops, sites, or areas where:
- Hazardous substances are used: including flammable, oxidizing, combustible, explosive, and toxic substances, as well as substances hazardous to the environment.
- Equipment operates under pressure: technical devices operating under an excess pressure of more than 07 megapascal (including steam boilers and vessels) or at a water heating temperature exceeding 115°C.
- Stationary lifting mechanisms are used: such as escalators, cable cars, and funiculars.
- Mining operations are conducted: including the extraction and processing of minerals, as well as underground works.
All HPFs are subject to mandatory identification and registration in the State Register of Hazardous Production Facilities.⁴
State supervision and digitalization
The primary regulatory body exercising control is the Inspectorate for Control in the Sphere of Mining and Geology under the Ministry of Mining and Geology of the Republic of Uzbekistan.⁵
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- Licensing: Conducted via automated information systems (the Single Interactive State Services Portal).
- Expertise: Project documentation for the construction, expansion, reconstruction, or liquidation of HPFs is subject to mandatory State Industrial Safety Expertise.
- Declaration: Facilities with an increased risk level are required to develop an Industrial Safety Declaration⁶, which must be updated upon changes in technological processes or at least once every 5 years.
Obligations of operators (Operating organizations)
Organizations operating HPFs are obliged to:
- Allow only individuals who meet the qualification requirements and have no medical contraindications to perform work.
- Ensure periodic training and certification of employees in the field of industrial safety.
- Establish monitoring systems and automated control over technological processes.
- Maintain reserves of financial funds and material resources for the localization and liquidation of accident consequences.
Mandatory civil liability insurance
In accordance with legislation, the operation of an HPF is prohibited without a mandatory civil liability insurance (MCLI) policy.
- Object of Insurance: The property interests of the operator related to their obligation to compensate for damage caused to the life, health, or property of third parties and the environment.
- Insurance Sums: The minimum insurance amount is strictly tied to the Base Calculating Amount (BCA/BRV). The amount varies depending on the facility type and the volume of hazardous substances (Type I HPF – 250,000 BRV, Type II HPF – 50,000 BRV, Type III HPF – 10,000 BRV)
- Deadlines: In the event of an incident, the operator must notify the insurer within 3 working days.
Conclusion
The state regulatory system for industrial safety in Uzbekistan is transitioning from a purely supervisory model to a risk management model. The implementation of new standards under the forthcoming Law “On Industrial Safety” and the integration of digital monitoring tools make the production environment more transparent and secure. This not only minimizes the probability of man-made disasters but also enhances the investment attractiveness of the country’s industrial sector.
[1] https://lex.uz/docs/4608500
[2] https://lex.uz/docs/7281206
[3] https://lex.uz/docs/8139682
[4] https://lex.uz/uz/docs/4817452#4820561