The National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change has required industrial enterprises to halve their emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere by December 1.

Enterprises that fail to comply with this requirement may be temporarily suspended for up to 10 business days by decision of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, or liquidated under Article 22 of the Environmental Control Law, the committee noted.

As per the Article 24 of the Atmospheric Air Protection Law, in case of unhealthy weather conditions, enterprises are required to take steps to reduce or eliminate pollutant emissions into the atmosphere.

Enterprises that fail to comply with environmental obligations shall be held accountable administratively under Articles 85-1 (Failure to comply with air quality requirements at construction sites), 95 (Failure to restore the natural environment and eliminate the consequences of harmful impacts on the environment), and 197-6 (Resisting lawful activities of a state inspector of ecology and environmental protection agencies, as well as failure to comply with their orders) of the Administrative Liability Code.

Enterprises that cause air pollution may also be subject to criminal liability.

According to laws, Category I and II enterprises by environmental impact are required to:

• install automatic monitoring stations that analyze harmful emissions into the atmosphere and integrate them with environmental authorities;
• install highly efficient dust and gas cleaning units and local treatment facilities, as well as modernize existing ones;
• equip sanitary protection zones with automated stationary monitoring posts. Companies that fail to comply with these requirements will face a fivefold increase in compensation payments for environmental pollution.

The Ecology Committee also issued a stern warning to construction companies about the need to strictly comply with air quality requirements at construction sites.

Specifically, they are required to:

• prevent dust and sand particles from becoming airborne during construction work;
• install overhead sprinklers and irrigation systems at construction site entrances and exits;
• establish a mandatory vehicle tire wash station;
• equip the construction site with fencing, protective coverings, and special materials to prevent dust from spreading.

"Failure to comply with these requirements, in accordance with the Administrative Liability Code, may result in fines and other administrative steps, as well as the suspension of operations for up to 10 business days or complete cessation of operations," the committee concluded.