Hazardous Gas Stations in Uzbekistan Must Be Relocated by April 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has drafted a government decree outlining comprehensive measures to prevent accidents at gas stations and eliminate factors that pose risks to public health and safety.

According to the document prepared by the Inspectorate for the Control of Electricity, Petroleum, and Gas Use, all gas stations that fail to meet public, environmental, industrial, and fire safety standards, as well as urban planning regulations, are to be relocated to safe zones by April 2026.

By 1 March 2026, all stations must bring their operations in line with the minimum requirements identified during a nationwide inventory. When relocating, new land plots will be allocated in areas equipped with the necessary engineering and transport infrastructure. Station owners who choose to change their type of business will be permitted to remain at their current locations.

The 2025 inventory, conducted across 6,196 facilities for storage, distribution, and sale of automotive fuel, revealed more than 46,700 violations. The Committee for Industrial, Radiation, and Nuclear Safety identified the largest number of deficiencies — over 25,400 cases. The Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, the Cadastre Agency, and the Construction Inspection recorded over 2,100 violations, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported about 8,000, the Agency for Technical Regulation more than 330, and the Energy Inspection nearly 7,900.

Of the total violations, 7,166 were rectified on the spot. However, 464 facilities with serious non-compliance were temporarily suspended.

The draft decree also introduces several new requirements. Starting in 2026, the import of pressurized fuel storage tanks that have been in use for more than five years, or whose manufacturing date is unknown, will be prohibited. Existing tanks with expired service life must be decommissioned.

Additionally, the installation and operation of containers combining storage tanks for petroleum products (gasoline and diesel) and liquefied hydrocarbon gas, as well as fuel dispensers, will be banned.

From March 2026, gas station employees will undergo annual knowledge assessments and professional development training to prevent accidents.

Starting January 2026, a digital platform will be launched to record technical inspections of gas cylinders. Companies servicing these cylinders will be required to regularly submit inspection data, and licenses will be revoked for non-compliance with established requirements.