The parliamentary Committee on Environment and Water has approved at second reading amendments to the Clean Ambient Air Act. The changes concern fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, with the aim of aligning Bulgarian rules with EU legislation. The amendments were submitted by the Council of Ministers, and the accompanying motives state that they will make the law more effective in practice.

The new provisions set out how companies and individuals who install, repair, maintain, service or decommission equipment containing fluorinated gases will be certified. Going forward, they will have to meet the requirements of the new legislation. The bill also introduces stricter controls and tougher penalties for regulatory violations.

During the session, Tatyana Sultanova of We Continue the Change opposed the fast-tracked adoption of the text. She said it was not right to vote on a bill that would create administrative obstacles for businesses, explaining that her position was based on opinions submitted directly by the business community. According to her, companies fear that the requirements imposed on them will not be predictable. “We have serious concerns,” Sultanova added, stating that her group would not support the bill in its current form. Citing the feedback received, she proposed postponing its adoption.

Deputy Environment and Water Minister Reneta Koleva responded that the ministry had already reviewed the business community's objections. She said they lacked sufficient supporting arguments, and that the sanctions system under Paragraph 9 had an unclear scope. Koleva noted that new implementing regulations are forthcoming, and that market oversight will remain in the hands of the regional environmental inspectorates, which will play a leading role in enforcement nationwide.

The deputy minister added that a methodology is also being prepared to address the concerns raised in the business community's submissions.