Kazakhstan Moves To Ban Imports Of Radioactive Waste
AI-generated illustration
Kazakhstan plans to create a separate radioactive waste control system and ban imports of radioactive waste from other countries, Orda.kz reports.
The bill “On Radioactive Waste Management” has been adopted in the first reading by the Majilis.
According to deputy Edil Zhanbyrshin, the amount of radioactive waste in the country is growing every year.
At a number of facilities left over from the Soviet period, we have identified damage to protective coatings, erosion, infrastructure wear, and insufficient oversight. In addition, responsible organizations and balance holders have still not been identified for some facilities,the deputy said.
Zhanbyrshin also said current legislation does not solve the problem because radioactive waste regulations are scattered across different laws.
Today, radioactive waste regulations are spread across different laws and do not form a single system. Because of this, there are gaps in accounting, storage, transportation, disposal, and long-term control. All these problems have shown that the country needs a full-fledged system of state regulation in this area,he said.
However, deputy Bakytzhan Bazarbek said the bill contains inconsistencies with the Environmental Code.
The bill introduces the concept of a cadastre of radioactive waste storage and disposal sites, but there is no such concept in the Environmental Code. The document also does not refer to the Environmental Code itself, although we must always rely on its requirements. In addition, some norms on the classification of radioactive waste do not correspond to current legislation, which means some substances may fall outside the scope of regulation. I think we will fix this by the second reading,Bazarbek said.
He said the amendments should be considered before the second reading.
The bill also:
- Introduces licensing and state supervision in the sector;
- Regulates the construction and closure of disposal sites;
- Strengthens long-term monitoring of radioactive facilities;
- Creates a state register of radioactive waste.
Original author: Alina Elgeldina
Read also:
Latest news
- Police Link Istanbul Killing of Kazakhstani Citizen to International Crime Group
- Soyuz MS-29 Reaches ISS After Successful Baikonur Launch
- What It Costs Parties to Field Candidates in Kazakhstan’s Kurultai Election
- German Refinery Turns to South America After Losing Kazakh Oil
- Kazakhstan and Russia to Restrict Airspace for Baikonur Launch
- Kazakhstan Tightens Checks on Imported Fruit and Vegetables
- Rainmaking Technology Is Being Tested in Southern Kazakhstan
- Heat and Drought Have Not Harmed Kazakhstan’s Crops, Agriculture Ministry Says
- Russia’s Diesel Export Ban Will Not Raise Prices for Kazakh Farmers
- Kazakhstan Has Introduced “Digital Condominiums” — Here’s What They Are
- Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Warns Samruk-Energo Chief Over Delays at Almaty CHPP-3
- Kazakhstan’s National Fund Grows to $65 Billion
- Kazakh Airlines Resume Flights to Dubai
- Rare Owl With Nearly Two-Meter Wingspan Spotted in Charyn National Park
- How Many Women Serve in Kazakhstan’s Army and What Positions They Hold
- Kazakhstani Man Gets 10 Days of Detention for Telegram Comment
- President Tokayev Orders Large-Scale Construction Across Kazakhstan: What Will Be the Focus?
- How Did Students Perform in Kazakhstan’s 2026 University Entrance Exams?
- Did 4.2 Million Users’ Data Leak From a Kazakhstani Education Platform?
- Two Buses Get Stuck in Loose Gravel on Major Almaty Street
