Bulgaria's parliament has passed in a first reading an amendment to the Law on Technical Requirements for Products that sets special procedures for crises. Deputy minister of economy, investment and industry Krasimir Yakimov said the change will get needed goods to the market faster and end shortages.

This story follows our earlier report on fast market access for goods in a crisis, which said parliament's economic committee had backed the bill in a first reading.

In the plenary hall, 137 MPs voted in favour, none voted against and 14 abstained. The Council of Ministers submitted the bill.

Yakimov recalled the Covid-19 crisis, when face masks were in short supply, and said the new rules draw on that experience. He said tighter oversight of the products covered by the emergency procedures is needed so that consumers get the safety they require.

The bill brings Directive (EU) 2024/2749 into Bulgarian law and ensures Regulation (EU) 2024/2748 is applied. The two acts amend 15 directives and regulations that were brought into Bulgarian law through the Law on Technical Requirements for Products.

In an emergency, the responsible authorities will be able to allow products that matter for the crisis onto the market. Companies must submit technical documentation that proves the products meet the requirements.

The procedures are triggered by a European Commission act, which also sets out which products fall under the special rules. Authorisations apply only in the EU member state that issued them, unless other countries recognise them or a Commission act allows them across the whole EU.

The rules cover machinery, equipment and protective systems for potentially explosive atmospheres, lifts, transportable pressure equipment, pressure equipment and vessels, radio equipment, electrical equipment, electromagnetic compatibility of equipment, gas appliances, cableways, personal protective equipment and construction products.