CLASSIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENSES IN THE LEGISLATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN: A COMPARATIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The article examines the theoretical and practical aspects of the classification of administrative environmental offenses in the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in comparison with the experience of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research is based on the analysis of the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Environmental Code, as well as the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other regulatory acts governing liability for violations in the field of environmental protection. Particular attention is paid to the criteria for classifying environmental offenses — by the object of protection, the subject, the degree of harm, the form of guilt, and the nature of sanctions. A comparative legal analysis showed that both countries have similar approaches to defining and systematizing environmental offenses, but differ in the level of detail and structure of legal regulation. In Kazakhstan, administrative liability of legal entities is established, which increases the effectiveness of law enforcement, while in Uzbekistan this aspect requires improvement. The author concludes that harmonization of national legislation with international environmental law standards, strengthening preventive measures, and introducing a unified classification system of administrative environmental offenses are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of environmental law enforcement and sustainable natural resource management.