A draft of amendments to the Special Procedures Law for the implementation of the “Expo 2027” exhibition has been opened for public consultation until July 18, Forbes Serbia reported.
The primary goal of these amendments is to accelerate the construction of facilities needed for Expo 2027, without compromising building stability, safety, and security standards.
The draft maintains the controversial provision allowing the use of buildings based solely on a technical inspection report, meaning visitors could access Expo venues without official occupancy permits. These buildings can be used for a maximum of 24 months following the positive technical inspection.
Additionally, temporary assembly and dismantling permits will be issued for participant pavilions inside the Expo buildings. Pavilions will be removed after the event, and the buildings adapted for permanent use, at which point an occupancy permit must be obtained.
The government will define detailed rules for pavilion installation and removal, usage conditions, and technical inspection procedures.
Notably, the new draft omits previous proposals concerning environmental impact study approvals. Earlier versions allowed construction permits to be issued without prior environmental consent, requiring it only upon occupancy permit application. This has been removed in the current draft.
Also, the draft abandons the phased construction permit approach. Previously, permits were issued separately for foundation work and above-ground construction; the current draft does not include this staged process.
Another significant change is the departure from the usual regulatory practice allowing ongoing procedures to continue under prior law despite amendments. Instead, the draft aims to avoid parallel application of different laws to preserve legal certainty.
Finally, the draft retains provisions enabling local governments to regulate facades and spaces across Serbia where Expo-related activities will take place, reflecting the event’s multi-location nature.
