Frequently asked questions
Why do you sometimes use Administration of Reserves when your official name is Administration of State Material Reserves of the Slovak Republic?
We use Administration of Reserves as a short form of the name. In some documents you may also come across the acronym SŠHR SR.
How are state material reserves classified?
According to their purpose, state material reserves are divided into material reserves, mobilisation reserves and emergency stocks.
Material reserves are intended to protect the economy, to ensure the energy and food security of the state, to meet the needs of the armed forces and to provide a temporary response to the consequences of large-scale extraordinary situations. Material reserves consist primarily of food items (for example wheat, sugar, frozen meat) and also, for example, nuclear fuel. Emergency stocks of oil and petroleum products are a special type of material reserve. The use of material reserves is decided by the Government of the Slovak Republic on the basis of a proposal by the Chairman of the Administration of Reserves.
Mobilisation reserves consist of selected basic raw materials, materials, semi-finished and finished products, special machinery, instruments, tools and equipment, freight technology, bridge and support structures and other materials necessary for entities of economic mobilisation operating under the responsibility of individual central bodies of state administration. They are intended for implementing economic mobilisation measures during a crisis situation. Mobilisation reserves may also be used in the period from the declaration until the end of an extraordinary situation, a state of emergency in the energy sector, a state of oil emergency and the third flood warning level, or for other purposes where this is economical. The use of mobilisation reserves after the declaration of an extraordinary situation and after the declaration of the third flood warning level is decided by the Chairman of the Administration of Reserves on the basis of an opinion of the relevant central body of state administration. During a crisis situation, a state of emergency in the energy sector and a state of oil emergency, the use of mobilisation reserves is decided by the Government of the Slovak Republic.
Emergency stocks are selected items intended for immediate and free-of-charge assistance in saving the lives, health and property of the population of the Slovak Republic affected by a crisis situation, an extraordinary event or the third flood warning level. They include, for example, drinking water, basic hygiene supplies, clothing and footwear, items for rest and emergency lighting, smaller back-up electricity sources, technical equipment to keep rescue services operational, and material for humanitarian aid. Emergency stocks are primarily aimed at securing the basic living needs of the population in situations where local self-government or another crisis management authority is, for various reasons, unable to provide the necessary assistance from its own resources. The use of emergency stocks is decided by the Chairman of the Administration of Reserves.
How can I request reserves?
The procedure is described on our website: Emergency stocks for crisis management authorities
You can also contact us by telephone:
- emergency mobile line: +421 911 806 000
- +421 2 57 278 410
- +421 2 57 278 412
or by e-mail:
When can I, as a mayor, request assistance?
You may request assistance only after an extraordinary situation or the third flood warning level has been declared in your municipality, or after an extraordinary situation or the third flood warning level has been declared by the head of the district office in your district.
Is there a charge for the assistance provided?
The provision of state material reserves during a declared crisis state (for example an extraordinary situation or the third flood warning level) is free of charge for crisis management authorities.
Eligible entities may also request the lease of selected state material reserves, which is subject to a fee.
For how many days does Slovakia hold stocks of oil and petroleum products?
Under the EU directive, the Slovak Republic is required to hold stocks covering 90 days of the functioning of the state. The Slovak Republic holds stocks of oil and petroleum products in excess of the 90-day requirement.
How does the Administration of Reserves ensure that food items are rotated so that they are always fresh?
Some items, such as frozen meat, are stored with a custodian – a company with the storage and staffing capacity to store the meat correctly and to carry out regular rotation for fresh stock at the intervals set by the producer. Other items are stored at our own centres, where we strictly observe the storage conditions and rotation intervals.
Can I request assistance electronically?
The Administration of Reserves has launched its own information system based on logging in with an electronic identity card carrying a certificate authorising the holder to act as a representative of a crisis management authority. Once a person is registered and approved by an administrator, assistance can also be requested through this information system.