Uzbekistan Tightens Rules on Hazardous Waste Management

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's president has signed a resolution "On Measures to Improve the Effectiveness of Hazardous Waste Management" aimed at strengthening the hazardous waste management system and enhancing environmental oversight.

Under the document, from 1 January 2027, legal entities that own hazardous waste will be required to prepare annual hazardous waste management plans based on the conclusions of an environmental review. The plans must be approved by the territorial departments of the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development.

The annual plans must include measures to reduce the volume of hazardous waste generated, increase the share of waste that is recycled or safely disposed of, and ensure the transfer of hazardous waste to specialised organisations authorised to process, neutralise, utilise or dispose of such waste and possessing the necessary infrastructure and a positive environmental review.

The resolution also provides for the transfer, free of charge, to the agency of all special facilities and open sites designated for storing decommissioned hazardous waste. Funds required for the environmental restoration of these facilities will also be transferred.

In addition, from 1 October 2026, statistical reporting by organisations generating hazardous waste will be prepared on the basis of the calendar year.