Gov’t announces ban on exports of catalytic converters

The Georgian government on Monday announced it would impose bans on exports of catalytic converters, a device that cleans a vehicle’s exhaust emissions using chemical reactions with precious metals, due to their  “mass removals” from cars for the sale adding to environmental pollution. 

 

Prime minister Irakli Garibashvili claimed his office had been “closely” controlling the fuel quality over the past six years, and added the removal of the devices from vehicles had been one of the main causes of pollution caused by emissions. 

 

“It is a sad reality that cars are stripped of this detail, the catalytic convertor, and sold abroad. This is the main cause of the problem. I think we will have results very soon, the air quality will improve after we introduce a new standard. At the same time, the National Environment Agency will start checking the quality of cars as well. From this year in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Batumi and Kutaisi, we will start monitoring vehicles with visible, excessive emissions on the roads using special equipment,” Garibashvili said.