Updated Plan-Schedule: What is the Situation Regarding the Implementation of the Self-monitoring System?

As you already know, our movement is always keeping track of the situation regarding the implementation of the self-monitoring system in enterprises. Let us remind you, that since June 1, 2021, regulatory bodies have the obligation to determine the emission of harmful substances into the atmospheric air by the continuous instrumental method.

As it was clear from the previous plan-schedule (29.10.2022), the majority of the enterprises planned to complete the installation and register in the electronic system of the Ministry by the end of 2022, therefore, in order to get information about the current situation in this regard, we wrote to the Ministry again in January of this year, and on January 23, 2023, they sent an updated schedule.

As usual, we share this information with you.

According to the latest information, although in some cases the deadlines are violated, the self-monitoring system in the majority of enterprises is either already installed or stored at the enterprise and is planned to be installed in the near future, which is favorable.

We received information from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture about 27 enterprises, 8 of which are not functioning at the moment, namely: “Lizo 2020” LLC, “Geoferometal” LLC, “Industria Kiri” LLC, “Rustavi Metallurgical Combine” JSC, “Graali 2008” LLC , “Composite” LLC, “Kav Cement” LLC, “Lev 2019” LLC.

4 enterprises are registered in the electronic system of the Ministry and transmitting data: LLC “MN Chemical Georgia”, LLC “Rustavi Azoti”, LLC “GeoSteel” and LLC “Heidelberg Cement Georgia”.

The number of these enterprises will soon be joined by the following: “Max Import” LLC, “Solo” LLC and “Gia 2019” LLC, which are already registered in the electronic system of the Ministry and the web service is being maintained for continuous data transfer.

LLC “Mshenebeli 2004” also applied to the Department of Environmental Supervision for inclusion in the electronic system (on December 30, 2022) the documentation submitted for registration is being reviewed at this stage. The registration of the company in the electronic system depends on it passing the screening procedure regarding the change of operation and the updating of the environmental regulations, although the company has not applied to the National Environmental Agency on this matter so far.

Also, we offer a list of enterprises that have a self-monitoring system in place and, in some cases, will be installed in the near future:

The self-monitoring system is almost completely installed in the “Vivacement” LLC enterprise. In addition, a new computer was needed to receive self-monitoring data, which was purchased and will be installed in the enterprise by the end of January 2023, after which the enterprise will apply for registration in the electronic system.

“Standard Cement” LLC – a self-monitoring device has been delivered and its installation is planned for January 2023. After the installation of the device and the agreement of the new normsfor maximum allowable emissions, , the company will apply for registration in the electronic system to the Department of Environmental Supervision.

“Elba Export” LLC – With the involvement of the contractor company, the final technical issues are being resolved in order to ensure continuous access to self-monitoring data, after which the company will apply to register the self-monitoring device in the electronic system of the Department of Environmental Supervision.

“Mega Cement” LLC – the self-monitoring device has already been brought to Georgia and its installation is planned after the installation of the dust collection system, and the estimated date of completion of the installation of the filtration system is the end of February 2023.

“Russaloys” LLC – selfmonitoring system is already installed on the territory of the enterprise.

LLC “RSM Corp” – self-monitoring system is already stored on the territory of the enterprise.

In the case of “Russalloys” LLC and “RSM Corp” LLC, it should be noted that, unfortunately, due to the fall in the prices of ferroalloy products and the crisis, the performance of these enterprises has been reduced to a minimum; In “Roussalloys” LLC, the operation of furnace number 2 has been halted, and the productivity of furnace number 1 has been halved. Because of this, the installation of self-monitoring systems was also delayed. “Russalloys” LLC plans to fully restore the production of ferroalloys in April 2023; moreover, the installation and commissioning of the self-monitoring system in “RSM Corp” LLC is planned for March of this year.

The situation is similar in “Ferro Alloy Production” LLC. Due to the crisis, the company stopped the operation of furnaces I-II in August 2022, and the performance of furnace III from December 25. Based on the information mentioned above, the purchase, installation and commissioning of the self-monitoring system will take place in case of the restoration of production, which depends on the reality on the market. The company plans to fully restore the production of ferroalloys in July 2023.

In addition to all this, “AMB Alloys” LLC and “Ertoba 98” LLC do not have a self-monitoring system yet. According to the information of the supplier of “AMB by Alloys” LLC, the system will be delivered in February of this year; And the system will be debugged and connected to the network no later than March 31, 2022. As for “Ertoba 98” LLC – on the basis of the inspection act of December 15, 2022, due to functioning without a self-monitoring device, an administrative offense protocol will be drawn up. According to the company’s representative, the self-monitoring device has already been purchased, it is being transported and will be installed in the nearest future.

Also, it must be mentioned, that “Rustavi Steel” LLC, which at no stage had given the Ministry information regarding the self-monitoring system.. It is clear from the last letter of the Ministry (23.01.23) that an administrative offense protocol was drawn up and sent to the Rustavi court.

“Georgian Alloys Group” LLC also had the obligation to install a self-monitoring system, however, “MN Group-2021” LLC operates instead, which does not carry out the activities determined by the environmental decision issued to “Georgian Alloys Group” LLC and operates on the basis of the inventory technical report (See the link for detailed information on the enterprise’s activities).

As for the dust collection system, according to the information provided by the Ministry, the majority of enterprises in the list implement the proper functioning of the dust collection systems. However, without self-monitoring systems and an adequate number of inspections, it is difficult to judge how conscientiously enterprises use dust-collection systems.

The informational material is prepared by “Eco Centre” in the framework of USAID Civil Society Engagement Program. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The content of thismaterial is the sole responsibility of the “Eco Centre” and do not necessarily reflect the views of, USAID, the United States Government, or EWMI.