Uzbekistan Orders Industrial Enterprises to Halve Emissions by 1 December

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change has ordered industrial enterprises in Uzbekistan to cut harmful atmospheric emissions by 50% by 1 December, the agency’s press service reported.

Companies that fail to meet the directive may face temporary shutdowns of up to ten working days or be liquidated by committee decision. Authorities warned that violators could also face administrative, and in some cases criminal, liability.

The committee noted that the measure aligns with Article 24 of the Law on the Protection of Atmospheric Air, which requires enterprises to reduce emissions under adverse meteorological conditions.

In addition to emergency measures, enterprises must meet longer-term modernization requirements. Deadlines depend on environmental impact category: Category I — by 1 January 2026; Category II — by 1 July 2026.

Obligations include installing automated monitoring stations integrated with environmental authorities, fitting high-efficiency dust and gas cleaning systems and local treatment facilities, and equipping sanitary protection zones with automated observation posts.

Enterprises that fail to comply with modernization requirements will face compensatory environmental pollution fees, with tariffs increased fivefold.