Serbia to keep DST practice until Europe decides otherwise

In the midst of discussions within the EU about whether it makes sense to keep adhering to Daylight Saving Time, Serbia is preparing the Law on Timekeeping. The aim is to guarantee a unified timekeeping system throughout the country. A special work group has prepared a draft regulation which envisages the keeping of the DST practice.

It's interesting that the latest Law on Timekeeping was adopted in Serbia back in 2006, when it comprised a single state with Montenegro.

Serbia, however, needs to harmonize its legislature with the EU legal framework, so if Europe decides to eschew DST in the future, the country will have to adapt as well.

All things considered, DST is no longer to be adhered to within the EU. It only remains to be seen which timekeeping regime will be adopted as the constant one.

Following several requests by European MPs and numerous citizens' petitions, the European Commission has decided to survey EU residents regarding the DST. The survey of 4.6 million has been completed and the EC is now to analyze the results and come up with a concrete proposition in several weeks.

Although the decision has not yet been made, the option of sticking with regular time, not DST, is more likely to win out.

The DST is being increasingly opposed, as the artificial switch to another timekeeping regime in order to save energy has been shown to have very few benefits.

On the other hand, health consequences are not negligible. Some surveys have shown that as many as 20% of the subjects feel the adverse effects.

After consulting with the residents, but also with each member state individually, the EC will decide whether to abolish the disputed Directive or keep the current system.

Whatever the decision may be, countries aiming to eventually join the EU will have to harmonize their laws with it.

Law not to pertain to air traffic

The Law on Timekeeping will not pertain to the time regime used in air traffic, which is regulated by international conventions and contracts.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Bruxelles

Law on Timekeeping

daylight saving time

DST

timekeeping in Serbia