Aze.US
Azerbaijan has approved a full withdrawal of asbestos-containing construction materials from civilian circulation, setting July 1, 2027 as the deadline for banning the import and sale of asbestos roofing widely known as slate.
The decision aligns the country with long-standing international health standards that restrict the use of asbestos due to its link to severe respiratory diseases, including lung cancer.
A structural shift for the construction market
For building-materials retailers, the measure signals more than a regulatory change.
Demand for traditional slate roofing had already been weakening, and the upcoming ban is expected to accelerate the transition toward modern metal and coated roofing systems, which are safer but typically more expensive.
The shift reflects a broader modernization trend within Azerbaijan’s construction sector, where durability, safety, and compliance are increasingly outweighing low upfront cost.
The scale of replacement
Specialists estimate that around 29% of homes in Azerbaijan still use asbestos-containing roofing. Replacing those structures will require significant time and financial resources, raising the likelihood of state-supported renovation or subsidy programs, similar to approaches used in parts of Europe and Asia during asbestos phase-outs.
Because removal and disposal of asbestos must follow strict safety procedures, the transition is expected to unfold gradually rather than through rapid demolition.
Health policy driving regulation
Scientific consensus on asbestos risks has led many countries to prohibit its use over the past decades. Microscopic fibers released into the air can enter the lungs and remain there for years, substantially increasing the probability of chronic disease.
Azerbaijan’s move therefore represents not only a construction reform but a public-health and environmental policy shift toward internationally accepted safety norms.
A two-year transition window
The period before the 2027 ban takes effect is intended to allow:
-
businesses to clear remaining inventories and switch supply chains
-
policymakers to design financial and regulatory support mechanisms
-
homeowners to prepare for eventual roof replacement costs
In practical terms, the phase-out marks Azerbaijan’s continued movement toward higher regulatory, environmental, and health standards-a trend increasingly visible across infrastructure, energy, and urban development policy.