Technical passports would become mandatory for all new buildings in Bulgaria, according to changes in territorial regulations voted in parliament on first reading on August 2.

The documents would list characteristics of the construction like fire safety, noise isolation, energy saving and others, mediapool.bg reported.

Initially the document would be required for new constructions only, Regional Development Ministry representatives said.

Deputy Regional Development Minister Savin Kovachev said that the introduction of such documentation represented a step back.

According to the Regional Development Ministry a technical passport was needed to ensure energy saving in buildings.

MPs suggested some changes to the regulations between first and second reading. One of the issues that needed to be clarified was the date from which the passports would become mandatory, mediapool.bg reported.