Government posted a draft Measures to prevent accidents at gas stations and eliminate factors that threaten human life Resolution proposing to relocate gas stations by April 2026 that pose a threat to life and health of individuals and do not meet the public, environmental, industrial, and fire safety standards, as well as urban planning norms and rules, including protected zone standards to safe zones.
The draft has been developed by the Inspectorate for Control over the Use of Electricity, Petroleum Products, and Gas.
It has proposes that by March 1, all gas stations bring their operations into compliance with the established minimum standards, based on the findings of the inventory check.
When relocating gas stations, new land plots will be provided in areas with the necessary infrastructure, the draft resolution states. If owners of gas stations decide to change the type of activity, they will be allowed to remain on their current territory.
The inventory check conducted this year at 6196 facilities for the storage, distribution, and sale of gas has identified more than 46,700 deficiencies, including more than 2100 by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, the Cadastre Agency, and the Construction Inspectorate; almost 8000 by the Ministry of Emergency Situations; more than 25,400 by the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety; more than 335 by the Technical Regulation Agency; and almost 7900 by the Uzenergoinspection.
Reportedle, 7166 deficiencies were rectified on the spot. At the same time, 464 facilities with serious violations were temporarily closed.
The draft also proposes to prohibit the import into the country from 2026 of gas storage tanks under pressure that have been in use for more than five years, as well as those with an unspecified manufacturing date. Existing tanks at gas stations with expired service life must be decommissioned. In addition, there are plans to prohibit the installation and operation in one location of containers that simultaneously house tanks for storing petroleum products (gasoline and diesel fuel) and liquefied petroleum gas, as well as fuel dispensers.
Starting in March, an annual assessment of the knowledge level of gas station employees and their professional development is planned to prevent possible emergency situations.
Starting in January, a digital platform for recording data on technical inspections of gas cylinders is also planned. Companies servicing cylinders will be required to regularly enter inspection data; failure to comply with these standards will result in the revocation of their licenses.
In December 2024, an explosion occurred at the Petrolium gas station in Fergana, located near residential buildings, which sold both gasoline and propane (pictured). One person died at the scene, and three more died in the hospital. Apartments in nearby buildings were also damaged.
