The Government of Armenia will begin commissioning inspections of hazardous industrial facilities from private companies. The corresponding amendments to the current legislation were adopted during the second and final reading on October 24 at a session of the National Assembly.

The amendments concern the law “On State Regulation of Technical Safety Assurance.”

Currently, inspections of hazardous production and service facilities are conducted by the State Non-Commercial Organization “National Center for Technical Regulation”, which operates under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, according to the ministry, there are now more than 10 private companies in Armenia, some of which are internationally accredited and fully capable of performing such inspections—at a level no worse than the aforementioned state organization.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs believes that this decision will increase competition.