Uzbekistan has officially enacted Law No. 1186, which introduces comprehensive reforms to the national fire safety system and significantly increases liability measures for non-compliance.
Key Takeaways: The legislation amends the Criminal, Criminal-Procedural, and Administrative Responsibility Codes, alongside the laws on fire safety and insurance activities. It mandates compensation payments for health damages caused by fire safety breaches and requires mandatory civil liability insurance for shopping centers and markets.
The introduction of these stringent regulations follows persistent challenges with safety standards in crowded commercial areas and construction oversight. By holding officials and property owners directly accountable, authorities aim to curb systemic negligence and systemic corruption within urban planning approvals.
Under the updated provisions, compensation for victims' life and health takes priority over state financial sanctions and budget fines. Owners of markets and entertainment centers who fail to secure mandatory liability insurance face administrative fines ranging from 50 to 75 base calculation units, scaling up for repeat offenses. Furthermore, illegal interference in architectural planning and construction permits is now punishable by administrative arrest or up to two years of imprisonment for repeat violations.
The regulatory package also establishes an independent fire audit system, granting a one-year exemption from planned state inspections for facilities that successfully pass independent certification. Additionally, liquefied petroleum gas distribution via household cylinders at automotive refueling stations has been explicitly outlawed. In recognition of emergency response realities, firefighters acting within the scope of justifiable risk are exempted from property damage liabilities, and emergency vehicles triggering traffic cameras while responding to calls will face no automated penalties.
Moving forward, regulatory bodies will oversee the strict implementation of these measures, with expectations that heightened penalties will eventually foster a safer operational environment across commercial and residential sectors.
Source: www.gazeta.uz