Articles | Open Access | DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/supsci-ojhpl-05-08-60

FROM “SOFT LAW” TO “HARD LAW”: TRANSFORMING INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SAFETY STANDARDS INTO UZBEKISTAN’S LEGISLATION

Sayidkomil Ibodullaev ,

Abstract

The article examines the mechanisms by which “soft” international nuclear safety standards (IAEA safety requirements and guides, codes of conduct) are converted into binding norms of national law (“hard” law), using the ongoing reform of the Republic of Uzbekistan’s environmental and nuclear legislation as a case study. Drawing on GSR Part 1 (Rev. 1) regarding the governmental, legal and regulatory framework for safety and on GSR Part 7 concerning emergency preparedness and response, as well as on SSG-16 and the “Milestones” approach (NG-G-3.1), and comparing these with Euratom directives and new Uzbek statutes—Law No. ZRU-565 (2019) and Law No. ZRU-1036 (2025)—the article demonstrates how soft law becomes a source for primary legislation, subordinate rulemaking and regulatory practice. As contextual milestones, Uzbekistan’s accession to the Aarhus Convention (28 March 2025) and to the Convention on Nuclear Safety (entry into force on 13 July 2025) are considered. The paper proposes a matrix for transposing key requirements and a 12–24-month implementation roadmap.

Keywords

IAEA; GSR Part 1 (Rev. 1); GSR Part 7; SSG-16; NG-G-3.1; Aarhus Convention; EU Euratom (2009/71, 2014/87, 2013/59, 2011/92 & 2014/52); Law of Uzbekistan No. ZRU-565; Law of Uzbekistan No. ZRU-1036; Convention on Nuclear Safety; legal transposition.

References

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Ibodullaev, S. . (2025). FROM “SOFT LAW” TO “HARD LAW”: TRANSFORMING INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SAFETY STANDARDS INTO UZBEKISTAN’S LEGISLATION. Oriental Journal of History, Politics and Law, 5(08), 450–464. https://doi.org/10.37547/supsci-ojhpl-05-08-60