The President of Uzbekistan issued a landmark decree on May 24, for creation of the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Cabinet of Ministers, as it was posted on Lex.uz.
Formation and Reorganization
The newly established committee is being formed from the existing Inspectorate for Control of Mining Geological and Industrial Safety, which was under the Ministry of Mining Industry and Geology. This inspectorate will now be reorganized into the Inspectorate for Control of Mining Industry and Geology, with a refined focus on geological and mining safety.
Mandate and Scope of the Committee
The Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety is designated as the authorized executive body responsible for the implementation and coordination of a unified state policy in ensuring safety across several key domains:
- Radiation and nuclear safety at nuclear energy and nuclear technology facilities.
- Industrial safety at hazardous production facilities.
The committee is tasked with a broad spectrum of responsibilities, including:
- Control over gas stations, gas filling stations, and CNG filling stations.
- Oversight of primary oil and gas refining processes.
- Ensuring the safety of main pipelines and gas facilities.
- Monitoring the activities of recreation parks.
- Industrial safety during grain storage.
- Supervision of the operation of elevators.
Organizational Structure and Staffing
The committee will operate with a staff of 110 personnel. Within its structure, a Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety will be established, which will be funded by the state budget but will not function as a separate legal entity. Additionally, a Scientific and Technical Center for Radiation and Nuclear Safety will be formed as a government agency to support the committee's functions.
In exercising state control, officials of the committee are vested with significant powers to ensure compliance with safety regulations. These include:
- Unhindered access to facilities under the committee's control.
- The authority to monitor and ensure adherence to industrial, radiation, and nuclear safety requirements.
- The power to suspend operations that do not meet safety standards or pose a risk of accidents, and to remove individuals from workplaces if their safety is compromised.
- The right to impose administrative penalties on officials and individuals for violations of safety regulations.
Financial Mechanisms
To support its operations, an extra-budgetary Fund for Industrial Safety has been established under the committee. This fund, which does not have the status of a legal entity, will be financed through various sources:
- Revenue from public services provided by the committee in the fields of industrial, radiation, and nuclear safety.
- 40% of the fines collected by the committee from business entities and individuals for safety violations.
- Other sources of income relevant to its mandate.
Future Developments and International Collaboration
The committee, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Mining and Geology, and the Atomic Energy Agency, has been tasked with developing proposals by September 1, 2025, to potentially increase the department's staff. These proposals will be based on the progression of nuclear energy development in Uzbekistan and international standards.
Additionally, by December 1, the committee is instructed to prepare recommendations for enhancing its operations. These recommendations should be based on best practices from developed countries in the fields of industrial, radiation, and nuclear safety, as well as the safety of elevators and park attractions. The preparation of these proposals will involve direct input from international financial institutions and consulting firms.
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