Kazakhstan Develops A New Draft Law Requiring The Environmental Audit

• Published date: 20 March 2024
• Subject Matter: Accounting and Audit, Environment, Audit, Environmental Law
• Law Firm: Unicase Law Firm
• Author: Alexandra Mussina

Previously, the environmental audit was obligatory, but later was ceased after the adoption of the new Environmental Code.

The draft law called 'The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan 'On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on forestry issues and specially protected natural areas' ('Draft Law') was initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan ('The Ministry'). It is expected to introduce changes to the Environmental Code No. 400-VI ZRC dated 2 January 2021 ('Environmental Code') and Law No. 202-V dated 16 May 2014 'On permits and notifications' of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the Ministry, the project was developed within the 'Economic Course of Fair Kazakhstan' according to the message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev.

It provides as follows:

Facility operators of the I category will be obliged to undergo mandatory environmental audit in case they systematically exceed the established emission level of (at least twice a year and more).

According to a new article 175-1 to the Environmental Code, an environmental audit shall be carried out within 6 months from the date of receipt of the order to eliminate violations on the basis of an agreement between the environmental auditor and the subject being audited.

The environmental audit report...