Used tyres have been recognised as a hazardous waste by Kyrgyzstan as it joins the Eurasian Economic Union. Accordingly, the trade in used tyres has been banned in an announcement made by Deputy Economy Minister Bakkeldi Tyumenbaev.
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According to Tyumenbaev, the standard of living in the country does not allow all car owners to buy new tyres. It was the norm that used tyres were sold in the country by traders who held a permit from the State Agency of Environment Protection and Forestry.
However, after Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, the agency refused to issue licenses for the import and sale of used tyres.
“In 2015, we made amendments to the law on licensing- permission system. An item on sale of used tyres for reuse was removed from the document. Based on changes in the law, we stopped issuing permits for trade in such goods,” the head of department Abdykalyk Rustamov commented.
The Ministry of Economy explained that used tyres are considered to be hazardous waste in the EEU. They can be imported and exported only with a license, and their sale is currently prohibited.
In order that Kyrgyzstanis can buy cheap second-hand tyres, the agency has developed a draft government decree. It is currently under discussion.