Uzbekistan is introducing strict fines for burning non-fuel materials and waste, according to a new law signed by the president on May 4, taking effect on August 5.
The amendment will introduce new sections to Article 88 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility, which governs air pollution. Under the updated law, the following actions will be classified as administrative offenses:
- Open burning: Incinerating fuel, combustible substances, non-fuel materials, or waste using an open flame in unauthorized locations or in facilities not designed for that purpose.
- Toxic industrial burning: Using tires, bitumen, fuel oil, plastic film, synthetic cardboard, rubber, wool fiber, or any waste containing similar components as heating fuel in greenhouses, manufacturing plants, or combustion units.
Violators will face substantial financial penalties based on the Base Calculating Amount (BCA):
Repeat offenses committed within one year of the initial penalty will trigger significantly higher fines:
- For individuals: Fines escalating to 25 to 50 BRVs (approximately 10.3 million to 20.6 million soums).
- For officials: Fines escalating to 50 to 70 BRVs (approximately 20.6 million to 28.84 million soums).
The legislative crackdown follows critical air quality degradation in November 2025, which prompted authorities to mandate an emergency transition of all greenhouses in and around Tashkent to natural gas. Furthermore, the government plans to restrict the construction of new greenhouses within the capital's perimeter starting October 1, 2026.
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