On Aug 29th 2015, China’s president Xi Jinping signed and issued Presidential Decree No. 31, which is the latest version of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution. The law will come into force from Jan 1st, 2016.
The law has gone through three amendments and the main changes include:
The application scope of total pollutants emission control and the emission license system are expanded from the “sulfur dioxide pollution control area” to include the whole nation.
The accountability and liabilities assigned to the responsible person involved in any failures or noncompliance with the emission standard have been further strengthened.
More requirements for assessment and supervision of local government.
A quality standard for fuels is included. The petroleum industry should produce fuels according to the standard.
Administrative punishment and penalties have been strengthened. The fine cap of 0.5 million on enterprises causing atmospheric accident has been abolished. In accordance with the new Law on Environmental Protection, daily fines will be imposed on violating enterprises without any cap on total.
