Business calls for the application of international practices for servicing indoor gas supply systems

02/ 12/ 2020

Listen to online Stop   In its address to the Chairman and members of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services, the European Business Association draws attention to the experience of EU countries in regulating the maintenance of indoor gas supply systems in apartment buildings. In particular, it is a common practice in the EU that a property owner is responsible for proper condition and technical serviceability of gas supply system, in particular for gas pipelines and gas equipment that is outside the balance affiliation line ( demarcation line of gas networks). The EBA experts analyzed the experience of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, and Croatia, according to which it is the consumers responsibility to keep gas supply equipment, including networks, in good condition and eliminate any problems. Special organizations, independent companies, or specialists who carry out such work and have the appropriate state certification may be involved in the performance of technical works. According to the EBA experts, this type of technical work is not a monopoly service and is not the area of ​​responsibility of gas distribution network operators. At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish between the areas of responsibility of the operator and the property owner. Industry experts note that according to the practice of EU countries, after the gas extraction point there are internal networks or an internal gas pipeline with the individual connection of consumers with meters. In-house communications are usually owned by the residents association or the building owner, who are responsible for the condition of the gas networks and the provision of the necessary set of maintenance and repair work. Moreover, the legislation of many EU countries stipulates the obligation to maintain gas networks and equipment, and not a voluntary choice. With this in mind, the business community appealed to People Deputies to take into account the international experience in elaborating the draft law №2458 and to introduce in Ukraine the principle of responsibility, which would correspond to the best European practices.

In its address to the Chairman and members of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy, Housing and Utilities Services, the European Business Association draws attention to the experience of EU countries in regulating the maintenance of indoor gas supply systems in apartment buildings.

In particular, it is a common practice in the EU that a property owner is responsible for proper condition and technical serviceability of gas supply system, in particular for gas pipelines and gas equipment that is outside the balance affiliation line ( demarcation line of gas networks). The EBA experts analyzed the experience of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, and Croatia, according to which it is the consumer’s responsibility to keep gas supply equipment, including networks, in good condition and eliminate any problems.

Special organizations, independent companies, or specialists who carry out such work and have the appropriate state certification may be involved in the performance of technical works. According to the EBA experts, this type of technical work is not a monopoly service and is not the area of ​​responsibility of gas distribution network operators.

At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish between the areas of responsibility of the operator and the property owner. Industry experts note that according to the practice of EU countries, after the gas extraction point there are internal networks or an internal gas pipeline with the individual connection of consumers with meters. In-house communications are usually owned by the residents’ association or the building owner, who are responsible for the condition of the gas networks and the provision of the necessary set of maintenance and repair work. Moreover, the legislation of many EU countries stipulates the obligation to maintain gas networks and equipment, and not a voluntary choice.

With this in mind, the business community appealed to People Deputies to take into account the international experience in elaborating the draft law №2458 and to introduce in Ukraine the principle of responsibility, which would correspond to the best European practices.