Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Changes to the state standard on road transport and environmental classes were implemented in Azerbaijan.

The news was announced by the State Committee for Standardization, Meteorology and Patents on March 28.

The changes were made to the content of the concordance tables of the environmental class of cars depending on the country and year of production, and were due to the application of the Euro-4 ecological standards for vehicles since April 1, 2014.

The new standard implemented in Azerbaijan is aimed at reducing the emission of pollutants by vehicles and improving the environmental situation in the country.

Earlier, the head of the State Committee Ramiz Hasanov said this decision is related to the growth of car imports in the country which negatively affects the environment and public health.

Around 100,000 cars, including over 50,000 used cars, were imported to Azerbaijan. The figure stood at 64,000 and 27,000 respectively in 2011, he said.

A list of compliance with environmental standards for vehicles based on the producing country and year of manufacture is as follows:

Moreover, usage of cars with modified exhaust-gas disposal system may also be banned in the country.

In this regard, a bill was prepared on amending Azerbaijan's law on road traffic. This amendment envisages banning the operation of vehicles with changed exhaust-gas disposal system, or a system with additional equipment.

The bill was discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on State building and legal policy, and was recommended for consideration at the Parliament's plenary session.

The government also plans to update the national cars park through buyout or compensation payment to stop the use of old cars that damage the ecological environment.

Gradual removal of these cars is done in order to improve the ecological conditions and protect the citizens' health.