Deputy Adilet Belekov, one of the co-authors of the draft law, noted that its primary task is to reduce air pollution. This will be achieved by creating legal mechanisms that will encourage vehicle owners to use functioning catalytic converters.
Several key changes are proposed within the draft law:
1. Introduction of the definition of "catalytic converter"
An official definition of a catalytic converter will be added to the law as an element of the exhaust system designed to reduce the toxicity of exhaust gases.
2. Mandatory presence and functionality of the catalyst
Vehicles for which a catalytic converter or another system for reducing toxicity is provided must be equipped with such systems and maintain them in working condition. Operation without a functioning catalytic converter will be prohibited.
3. Mandatory technical inspection for all vehicles
The draft law proposes to extend mandatory technical inspections to all vehicles participating in road traffic, except for electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Compliance with environmental requirements will become a mandatory part of the technical inspection, including a visual check for the presence of a catalytic converter or particulate filter and instrumental monitoring of harmful substances in the exhaust.
4. Prohibition of registration without an environmental conclusion
Registration and re-registration of vehicles will not be possible without a valid positive conclusion from the technical inspection confirming compliance with environmental standards.
5. Fines for offenses
The draft law introduces liability for the following violations:
- for issuing a false positive conclusion on compliance with environmental requirements — a fine of 400 calculation indicators (40,000 soms) with confiscation of the diagnostic center's license;
- for services related to the removal, blocking, or imitation of the operation of a catalytic converter or particulate filter — a fine of 300 calculation indicators (30,000 soms) with confiscation of equipment.
In the justification of the draft law, it is stated that air pollution poses a serious threat to public health. In 2021, Bishkek was among the most polluted cities in the world, and a significant portion of emissions is related to road transport. The removal of catalytic converters leads to increased emissions of harmful substances, higher fuel consumption, and increased costs for its import. As a participant in the Paris Agreement, Kyrgyzstan has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the authors of the draft law explained.
They are confident that the proposed measures will help reduce air pollution levels, minimize health risks for citizens, create a system for accounting and disposal of used catalytic converters, and prevent illegal removal of exhaust gas cleaning systems.
The authors of the draft law are deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh: Marlen Mamataliyev, Medina Kairylbekova, and Adilet Belekov.
