Member Article

The draft law governs the organization and functioning of the natural gas sector, rules and conditions for carrying out energy activities in this sector, planning and development of the natural gas market, market regulation, "unbundling" of activities, third party access to natural gas systems. Including, construction and reconstruction of infrastructure facilities, technical rules, supervision of the enforcement of the laws, related principles, procedures, rights and obligations of natural persons and legal entities, and other issues relevant to the gas sector in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The reasons for passing this law result from the obligations undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a signatory of the Treaty establishing the Energy Community of South East Europe, by which the state undertook the obligation to implement the directives and regulations of the so-called 'third energy package'. 

The directive refers to common rules for the establishment of an internal natural gas market, and it defines the obligation of the member states to achieve the main objectives of this law.

This draft law stipulates the establishment of the Regulatory Commission, which will take over all the responsibilities, competences and powers of the gas regulator in the Federation. The Regulatory Commission is also entitled to compensation of expenses based on arbitration. 

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, this issue is currently regulated by the Decree on the Organization and Regulation of the Gas Industry Sector of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be superseded by this law upon its enactment.