Filling stations posing risks to human life to be relocated to safe zones

The Inspection for the Control of Electricity, Petroleum Products and Gas has submitted a draft law titled “On measures to prevent accidents at filling stations and eliminate factors posing risks to human life” for public discussion.

According to the draft, the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, together with local administrations, is required to relocate all filling stations that pose a threat to the life and health of citizens or violate urban planning, fire, and industrial safety standards to safe zones by 1 April 2026.

Starting from 1 January 2026, the import and use of pressurized tanks that have been in operation for more than five years or have an unknown date of manufacture will be prohibited. The same ban will apply to equipment that has exceeded its service life unless it undergoes industrial safety inspection.

The installation and operation of container stations where gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied gas storage tanks, as well as fuel dispensers, are placed together will also be banned.

To prevent accidents and protect public safety, Uzenergoinspektsiya and the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety will be required to conduct fire and industrial safety compliance inspections at least once a year.

The draft law also introduces an annual knowledge assessment and retraining requirement for workers to prevent accidents and workplace injuries.

In addition, it proposes minimum standards for fire safety, technological control, and equipment at filling stations, as well as for industrial safety during the sale of liquefied petroleum gas and environmental protection.

“The development of this draft resolution was prompted by the need to prevent accidents similar to the one in the Oltindala mahalla of Kukdala district, Kashkadarya region, where an explosion of fuel tanks at a gas station caused a fire – as well as other similar incidents that have recently become more frequent across the country,” the Inspection’s explanatory note says.

The document also calls for greater responsibility and accountability of licensing and permitting authorities, prioritization of citizens’ life and health, public safety, and environmental protection, along with aligning related procedures with current legislation.