Parliament of Georgia adopted the Forest Code

  • On 28 may 2020, Forest Code of Georgia was published on the website of the Legislative Herald of Georgia.
  • The code invalidated the Forest Code dated 22 June 1999 and Georgian law on the Management of Forest Fund.
  • New law, for the purposes of eradicating problems existing in the wood sector, sets forth the system for sustainable management of forests, that ensures the improvement of quantitative and qualitative indices of woodland, protection of biodiversity, efficient utilization of economic potential without prejudice to ecological values, involvement of society in the management of forests and fair redistribution of the resulting benefit.
  • The code applies on the relations arising out of or in connection with the management of forests. Later in itself entails utilization of recourses and other benefits, as well as planning and execution of measures necessary for the protection, maintenance and restoration of forests.
  • The code rejected the term "Forest Fund" and replaced it with the term "Forest", which includes forestland, the space indispensable to the forest ecosystem.
  • The code differentiates forest utilization into common and special usage, defines the terms and conditions as well as the scope of usage in each case and sets forth the principles, pursuant to which the management of forest shall be carried out.
  • To achieve its goal, the code divides the forest in respective categories and establishes the procedure for granting and terminating the forest status to a geographical area (both private and public).
  • The code distributes the powers in the areas of forestry, forest management and supervision to the following bodies: the ministry of environment and agriculture, relevant bodies of the municipalities and autonomous republic and the legal entity under public law created specifically for this purpose.
  • The code establishes the rules for the discharge of state control over forests, as well as the procedure for the forest registration and planning.
  • The code defines the measures for the maintenance and protection of forests, regulates forest restoration and cultivation, and issues of relevant academic and professional education in the field of forestry.
  • Imposition of liability for violation of the Forest Code does not release the offender from the obligation to pay compensation for the damage done to the forest. The grounds and procedure for compensation is determined by the legislation of Georgia.
  • The code becomes effective from January 1, 2021.

Source and date of publication: The Legislative Herald of Georgia; 28.05.2020.

Parliament of Georgia adopted the Law on Energy Efficiency

  • On 28 may 2020, Law of Georgia on Energy Efficiency was published on the website of the Legislative Herald of Georgia.
  • The law provides for the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of Europe of 25 October 2012/27/EU, adapted for the Contracting Parties to the Energy Union.
  • The aim of the law is to promote the growth of energy efficiency across the country and, consequently, to save energy in economically and ecologically sound ways.
  • For this reason, the law defines the general legal framework for the implementation of measures necessary to promote and carry out energy efficiency throughout the country, which in turn will be of assistance in reaching the target energy saving rate.
  • The scope of application of the law includes horizontal (intersectoral) policy that has an influence on public and private sector and is connected to energy service and monitoring, measurement and confirmation. Specific sectors: private and commercial buildings, industry, energy production, transformation, transmission and distribution.
  • The law establishes the implementation of the respective policy in the field of energy efficiency and sets forth the functions of the Ministry. This ensures the execution of the respective policy, programs and other measures or activities. On this basis, the Ministry carries out the control and supervision of persons implementing the energy efficiency measures established by the legislation of Georgia, including Administrative Bodies.
  • The law, from 2023, obliges the enterprises of the first category to conduct full energy audit once in every four years or implement energy management system in accordance with the established standards.
  • The law establishes the range of the fines for the violations and the adoption of normative legal acts on determining the level of fines.
  • The law became effective upon its publication.

Source and date of publication: The Legislative Herald of Georgia; 28.05.2020.

Parliament of Georgia adopted the Law on The Energy Performance of Buildings

  • On 28 may 2020, Law of Georgia on The Energy Performance of Buildings was published on the website of the Legislative Herald of Georgia.
  • The law provides for the implementation of The Energy Performance of Buildings directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of Europe of 19 May 2010/31/EU envisaged in the protocol on the accession of Georgia as the member of the Energy Union.
  • The purpose of the Law is to promote the rational use of energy resources and to improve the energy performance of buildings, taking into account the external climate and local conditions, the demand for internal climatic conditions and cost-efficiencies.
  • The law applies to new as well as existing buildings, except for the cases prescribed by the law (for example: buildings which have the status of cultural heritage, a cult-religious building...)
  • The law sets out the energy performance requirements for buildings and parts of buildings and defines the national methodology for calculating energy performance.
  • Important novelty is that all buildings whose application for the construction permits will be submitted after September 30, 2029, must meet the requirements of nearly zero-energy buildings.
  • The law makes it mandatory to certify the energy performance of buildings. This is the responsibility of the owner and is carried out based on an agreement with an independent expert.
  • The law also makes it mandatory to inspect the system of heating and air conditioning in the buildings regularly. This is also the responsibility of the owner and is carried out based on an agreement with an independent expert.
  • The law sets forth the monetary liability for the infringement of established requirements.
  • The law became effective upon its publication.

Source and date of publication: The Legislative Herald of Georgia; 28.05.2020.

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