Relevance

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been undergoing large-scale modernization processes in all sectors, accompanied by an increase in the number of industrial enterprises significantly impacting the environment. Environmental expertise is one of the key measures for nature conservation, and its effectiveness is directly linked to the quality, transparency, and efficiency of the conclusions drawn by state environmental expertise.

The legal framework for conducting environmental expertise has been governed by the Law "On Environmental Expertise," adopted in 2000. However, the lack of legal definitions for key terms, international standards, and a clear delineation of the rights and responsibilities of participants in the process has negatively affected the effectiveness of activities in this field.

Significance

To ensure transparency and openness in the field of environmental expertise, systems from countries such as the United States, Japan, Singapore, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, and Belarus were studied. Additionally, recommendations from the World Bank, the United Nations, the UNECE, the OSCE, private-sector expert consultants, and the requirements of the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Aarhus and Espoo Conventions were taken into account. Based on these studies, amendments and additions were made to the Law "On Environmental Expertise", presented in its new edition.

Key provisions of the new edition of the law:

1 Establishment of a unified automated information system. A system for environmental impact assessment will be created based on the principles of "e-government". This will allow business entities to submit materials for environmental expertise and receive conclusions online.

2 Introduction of the institution of strategic environmental assessment. In accordance with international practices, strategic environmental assessment will be conducted for documents such as state programs, concepts, and urban planning documentation to prevent potential environmental consequences.

3 Creation of a permanent expert council

The council will ensure the objectivity and validity of state environmental expertise, review appeals, and resolve problematic and contentious issues during the expertise process. This will enhance the transparency of expert conclusions.

4 Classification of environmental expertise objects into three categories based on their level of impact on the environment. As a result, fourth-category objects with local impact will be excluded from the list, reducing bureaucratic barriers and cutting down on time and costs for small business entities.

5 Review of the timeframes for conducting environmental expertise. This will provide additional convenience for business entities.

6 Introduction of qualification certificates for project organizations and their rating system.

This will prevent the preparation of low-quality documents that do not meet environmental standards, reduce time and financial costs for entrepreneurs  and increase the accountability of project organizations.

Thus, the new edition of the law aims to enhance the efficiency of environmental expertise, reduce bureaucratic barriers  and ensure environmental safety.

7 The process of environmental impact assessment introduces provisions aimed at broad public involvement, including the establishment of procedures for conducting public environmental expertise and public hearings.

The law guarantees citizens' rights to a favorable environment and accurate information about its condition, while also creating the legal framework for bringing urban planning projects to public discussion. Furthermore, it promotes greater accountability among participants in the state environmental expertise institution, including environmental experts, and improves the quality of documents related to environmental impact assessments and draft environmental standards submitted for state environmental expertise.

The law was approved by the senators.