MOSCOW, May 30 - RAPSI. The Federation Council has endorsed a law on providing compulsory licensing to individuals and entities operating in the Antarctic.

Previously, this provision was not stipulated by law.

The new law also requires non-state operators in the Antarctic to purchase a third-party liability policy or to obtain a performance bank guarantee in case of inflicting injury on a third party.

Non-state operators will also be obligated to remove their property - regardless of its condition - and their waste from research areas no later than three years after their permit expires.

The statute also lays down other principles for operating in the Antarctic - territories can only be used for peaceful purposes, scientific research must be held freely and the environment and ecological systems must be protected.