Serbia is preparing to introduce a new certification framework for natural gas storage operators. The initiative is intended to tighten oversight of ownership structures, management arrangements, and financial stability in the sector. A draft regulation issued by the Ministry of Mining and Energy sets out the conditions for certification and the documents required for approval.
The proposed rules are designed to strengthen regulatory control and improve transparency in the gas storage market. They define both eligibility requirements and the scope of documentation that applicants must submit during the evaluation process. The framework also establishes how regulators will assess information provided by companies seeking certification.
Ownership disclosure requirements for certified operators
A central element of the draft regime focuses on disclosure of ownership and control. Applicants would be required to provide detailed information on shareholders, voting rights, affiliated entities, and broader ownership links. The rules also call for special attention to investors from third countries.
The certification process would include identifying ultimate controlling entities behind both operators and storage facilities. This information is intended to support regulators in mapping control relationships connected to storage operations. The draft regulation links these disclosures to the overall certification assessment.
Corporate, financial and infrastructure documentation
Beyond ownership transparency, companies would need to submit extensive corporate and financial documentation. The required package includes registration certificates, founding acts, audited financial statements, and proof of ownership or operational rights for storage infrastructure. Regulators would use these materials to assess the financial reliability of applicants.
The draft regulation also requires evidence that applicants can meet documentation expectations throughout the approval process. It provides a basis for evaluating whether companies meet certification conditions using submitted corporate records and financial reporting. This approach is tied to the proposed oversight of storage operator eligibility.
Operational independence and information protection
The draft regulation places emphasis on operational independence for certified storage operators. Operators would be required to demonstrate that members of their management and governing bodies are not engaged in natural gas or electricity production and supply activities. They would also need to ensure that commercially sensitive information is protected from access by companies active elsewhere in the energy sector.
This requirement is aimed at separating governance roles from other energy production or supply activities while limiting cross-company access to sensitive data. The framework links these safeguards to the certification process conditions.
Scope of review and role of Serbia’s energy regulator
The review process would extend beyond operators alone. Authorities would examine the ownership structure of storage facility owners, including associated companies, energy licenses, and international business connections. The broader examination is intended to address risks associated with cross-sector influence and market concentration.
Applications for certification would be submitted to the Energy Agency of the Republic of Serbia. The agency would have authority to request additional documentation during evaluation, and operators would be obliged to report significant changes in previously submitted data.
Certification decision criteria and regional alignment
The final decision on certification would take into account compliance with regulatory requirements. It would also consider considerations related to energy supply security within Serbia’s gas system context. Opinions from the Energy Community Secretariat would play a role in the approval process.
The draft regulation indicates that these opinions are intended to support alignment with regional energy market standards. Certification outcomes would therefore reflect both national compliance elements and input from the regional framework referenced in the draft rules.
