China
The Environmental Protection Law at China’s environmental legislative system
China’s system of environmental legislation is established based on the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China that was enacted in 1989. Under this law, other separate laws have been enacted for controlling pollution. Some of these laws are as follows:
China updated the Environmental Protection Law in 2015. This was the first major revisions. The revised law includes stricter punishments on polluters. It also allows non-governmental organizations to file environmental lawsuits against violators. The National People’s Congress revised other laws, including the Law on the Prevention and control of Air Pollution in 2018 and the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution in 2017. The Congress also adopted the Law on the Prevention and Control of Soil Pollution on August 31, 2018.
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution was enacted in 1987 and amended in 1995, 2000, 2015 and 2018. This Law is formulated in order to prevent and control atmospheric pollution, protect and improve people’s environment and the ecological environment, safeguard human health, and promote the sustainable development of economy and society. The concentration of the discharged pollutants may not exceed the standards prescribed by the State and local authorities. The quality standards for products containing volatile organic compounds, such as coal, petroleum coke, biomass fuel, and coatings, fireworks and firecrackers, boilers, etc., are developed and the atmospheric environment protection requirements are specified.
The environmental legislative framework to protect the air pollution is as follows.
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution is formulated in order to prevent and control water pollution, protecting and improving the environment, and safeguarding the safety of drinking water.
The environmental legislative framework to protect the water pollution is as follows.
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste is the national primary law governing municipal and industrial waste management. This law lays out basic requirements for solid waste disposal for industrial facilities. It requires the specified facilities to get approval from the local environmental protection bureau for waste disposal plans prior to construction. The bureaus are also responsible for issuing permits for the collection, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.
The environmental legislative framework on waste management is as follows.
Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste
Industrial chemicals are mainly regulated by the following regulations in China:
“Decree of the State Council No 591 Regulations on Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals”
“Order of the Ministry of Environmental Protection No. 7 Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances”
Pursuant to article 15 of the Decree No 591, manufacturers of hazardous chemicals shall provide safety data sheet on the hazardous chemicals that are produced, post or affix a chemical safety label on the package. The contents in safety data sheet and chemical safety labels should meet the requirements of relevant national standards. The relevant standards in China are as follows:
On April 29, 2020, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (MEE) issued the final Measures on Registrations of New Chemical Substances for Environmental Management under Ministry Order No. 12. The new Measures replaces the current 2010 version and comes into force on January 1, 2021, when the Order No.7 will be repealed.
Same as the current version, the new Measures require manufacturers and importers to register new chemical substances with MEE before placing the new chemical substances on the Chinese market. They also introduce a notification process for new uses of existing listed substances.
Law on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals (Revision draft for solicitation of comments)
In order to strengthen the safety management of hazardous chemicals, prevent and reduce hazardous chemical accidents, the Ministry of Emergency Management organized the consultation on the draft of the “Law on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals”, which had been open to the public comments until 1 November, 2020. If approved, it will replace Decree No. 591.
The draft law is applicable to the safety management of the production, storage, use, operation, transportation and disposal of hazardous chemicals. It consists of 11 chapters (Article 137), and based on the lessons learned from the explosion accident, “Safety of hazardous chemical disposal” etc. was added to clarify the responsibility for safety supervision of the disposal (Disposal safety). The State implements a hazardous chemical registration system.
Framework of EHS laws and regulations in China.
China
On December 23, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released the Action Plan for Promoting the Use of Recycled Materials to expand the utilization of recycled resources and …
China
On December 27, 2025, at the 19th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, China adopted the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law. The law will take effect …
China’s Hazardous Waste Management: Key Policy and Regulatory Updates in 2025
China
China defines “hazardous waste” as solid waste that is listed in the National Hazardous Waste Catalogue or identified according to national standards and methods, possessing one or more hazardous characteristics …
China
On Nov. 10, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce and other four government departments jointly announced export control on 13 items of precursor chemicals to the United States, Mexico and Canada, …
China
On Oct. 31, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation and Standardization Administration issued a recommended national standard called the Requirements of Work Safety Management System for Large and Medium-sized …
China
An article recently published on China’s national congress’s website and other platforms reports that a second draft of pollution control provisions and penal provisions in the draft Ecological and Environmental …
China
On Nov. 19, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a draft list of chemicals to add to the list of priority-controlled chemicals (“priority chemicals”). The new list will …
China
On October 31, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation officially issued the recommended national standard “Specification for the Use of Recycled Materials in Household Appliances” (GB/T 46730-2025). The standard …
China
On November 18, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced Adjustments to the Applicable Standards for Hazardous Substance Content Limits and …
China
On Nov. 19, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a draft list of chemicals to add to the list of priority-controlled chemicals (“priority chemicals”). The new list will …
China
On November 6, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published a draft announcement titled “Requirements for Restricting Mercury-Added Products Including Mercury Batteries and Polyurethane Production Processes Using Mercury …
China Carbon Market Development Policy Dynamics Report
China
China’s carbon market development has evolved through three stages: local pilot exploration, national market foundation-laying, and institutional improvement. At the present stage, it has formed a dual-track framework of “mandatory …
China
On October 31, 2025, the State Council of China promulgated the Regulation on Ecological Environment Monitoring (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulation”) as a State Council decree. The Regulation will …
China
On Oct. 31, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a mandatory national standard called the General Rules for Safety Management of Coating Operations (GB 7691-2025), which will come …
China
On Nov. 8, 2025, China’s State Council published a white paper on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in China, titled “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality China’s Plans and Solutions”. It …
China
On October 28, 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China announced partial amendments to the Environmental Protection Tax Law. The revision introduces a new provision …
China Recycled Plastics Policy Dynamics Report
China
Globally, plastic regulation is forming an internationally mainstream model of “graduated mandatory requirements.” The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), effective from February 2025, mandates phased increases in …
China
On October 31, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China promulgated the mandatory national standard “Safety Technical Code for Work in Confined Spaces” (GB 46768-2025). The standard will …
China
On October 28, 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China announced that it has approved the “Amendments to Annex A and Annex B of the Minamata …
China
On October 30, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the “Catalog of Nationally Encouraged Industrial Water-Saving Processes, Technologies, and Equipment (2025 Edition).” The catalog lists water-saving …
China
On Oct. 9, 2025, China’s General Administration of Customs and Ministry of Commerce announced export control on goods related to lithium batteries and synthetic graphite anode materials starting Nov. 8, …
China
On Oct. 13, 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission of China published draft measures on renewable energy share targets for individual energy users and provincial-level local governments. The commission …
China
On Oct. 9, 2025, China’s State Council issued on its website a circular on criteria and preferential treatment for domestic products in government procurement. The criteria and treatment are based …
China
On Sept. 23, 2025, China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation published important questions and answers on the national voluntary greenhouse gas market, also known as the …
China
On November 3, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published draft amendments for public comment to two key documents under China RoHS regulations: “Compliance Management Catalog for …
China
On September 18, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) officially released the “List of Key Controlled Toxic and Hazardous Soil Pollutants (First Edition)” (hereafter referred to as “the …
China
On September 30, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published two draft announcements on its official website, inviting public comments: Draft Announcement on the Ban of HCFCs as …
China
On September 23, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a video address at the United Nations Climate Change Summit, outlining China’s new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction strategy. According to …
China
On September 2, 2025, China’s National Health Commission officially issued the revised version of the mandatory national standard titled “National Food Safety Standard: Coatings and Coating Films for Food Contact …
China
On September 17, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) officially released the “Product Catalog for Energy Efficiency Labeling (2025 Edition)” along with the corresponding implementation rules. The final …
China
On August 14, 2025, the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region of China announced, under Chief Executive Directive No. 163/2025, that the import of disposable plastic cotton …
China
On September 2, 2025, China’s National Health Commission officially issued the revised version of the mandatory national standard titled “National Food Safety Standard: Silicone Rubber Materials and Articles for Food …
China
On Aug. 22, 2025, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management published on its website five draft industry standards for occupational accident prevention services by occupational accident insurance providers: Specifications for Accidents …
China
On Aug. 27, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced an Action Plan for Nitrous Oxide Emission Control in the Industry Sector. The action plan aims to promote the …
China
On September 16, 2025, the Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region issued Chief Executive Order No. 177/2025, announcing amendments to Annex 1 of Administrative Regulation No. 30/2016, titled …
China
On Aug. 26, 2025, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management published on its website a draft industry standard called the Criteria for Determining Major Accident Potential in Chemical Industry Enterprises and …
China
On August 25,2025, China’s top authorities—the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council—jointly released a policy document named Guideline …
China
On August 19, 2025, China’s Solid Waste and Chemicals Management Center, under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), announced that the deadline for submitting applications to extend the confidentiality …
China
On September 9, 2025, the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) released the Fifth List of Implementation Rules for Green Product Certification. The list adds rules for nine new …
China
On Aug. 1, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a national standard setting out methodology and requirements for the carbon footprint determination of room air conditioners, titled “Greenhouse …
China
China’s top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), is set to conduct a second review of the draft Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law, according to a …
China
On Aug. 13, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published a draft of the mandatory national standard titled Regulations for the Preparation of Chemical Safety Labels on …
China
On Aug. 1, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published seven draft mandatory national standards (GBs) concerning the safety requirements for toys and children’s products and launched …
China
On Aug. 6, 2025, the All-China Environment Federation, a Chinese nonprofit organization, announced a public program for product carbon footprint accounting for 2025. Businesses can apply for the program on …
China
On July 30, 2025, the China Resource Recycling Association, a Chinese nonprofit organization, announced a nationwide pilot program for standardized recycling. The announcement includes brief implementation details of the program.
China
On June 30, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a revised mandatory national standard called Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for Projectors (GB …
China
On July 28, 2025, China’s National Certification and Accreditation Administration issued implementation rules for the compulsory certification (China Compulsory Certification [CCC]) of power banks and lithium-ion batteries (CNCA-C09-02:2025). These came …
China
On June 30, 2025, China issued a mandatory national standard for the classification and labeling of desensitized explosives, titled “Specification for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals—Part 30: Desensitized Explosives” (GB …
China
On July 25, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued measures on energy conservation review and carbon emissions assessment of facility construction projects. These came into effect Sept. 1, …
China
On July 29, 2025, China’s National People’s Congress published on its website an article from state-owned newspaper Legal Daily that explains corporate responsibility in the draft Ecological and Environmental Code …
China
On June 30, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a revised national standard, GB/T 21097-2025, titled General Rules on Safe Service Life and Recycling for Household and Similar …
China
On June 30, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China officially released the revised national standard GB 27999-2025, titled “Passenger Car Fuel Consumption Evaluation …
Report on the Compilation of China’s Ecological and Environmental Law Code
China
In April 2025, the “Draft Ecological and Environmental Law Code of the People’s Republic of China” was submitted to the 15th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National …
China
On Aug. 1, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued a new mandatory national standard, GB 26572-2025, titled Requirements for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic …
China
On July 1, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission(NDRC) released the draft of the “Energy Efficiency Label Product Catalog (2025 Edition)” and related implementation rules, inviting public comments until …
China, Report on Policy Developments Related to Hazardous Chemicals Tracking
China
China implements catalog-based management for hazardous chemicals. The “Catalog of Hazardous Chemicals (2015 Edition)” clearly defines hazardous chemicals as highly toxic chemicals and other substances with properties such as toxicity, …
China
On June 30, 2025, the Standardization Administration of China officially released the mandatory national standard titled “Requirements for Toxic, Hazardous, and Restricted Substances in Personal Protective Equipment” (GB 31420-2025). This …
China
On March 27, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued the industry standard “Used Home Appliance Collection Service Specification” (SB/T 11246-2025), which will take effect from October 1, 2025. This standard …
China
On May 30, 2025, China officially issued the revised mandatory national standard GB 12021.2-2025 “Limits of Household Refrigerator Energy Consumption and Energy Efficiency Grades”, which will take effect on June …
China
On March 27, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued the industry standard “Used Home Appliance Collection Service Specification” (SB/T 11246-2025), which will take effect from October 1, 2025.This standard outlines …
China
On July 3, 2025, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment released a draft revision of the mandatory national standard “Standard for the Use of Additives in Food …
China
On June 27, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published a draft notice titled “Announcement on the Ban on the Production of Polyurethane Products Using 1,1-Dichloro-1-Fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) as …
China
On June 26, 2025, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management announced that two chemical substances—4-piperidone and 1-BOC-4-piperidone—will be added to the country’s list of controlled precursor chemicals. The regulation will take …
China
On June 26, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the “Implementation plan for strengthening the promotion of green and low-carbon standardization in industrial and information technology …
China
On June 24, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) released the “2024 Report on Progress in Climate Change Response.” The report summarizes China’s efforts and achievements in addressing …
China
On May 30, 2025, China’s Standardization Administration has issued a new mandatory national standard titled Safety Technical Code for Packaging Containing a Variety of Dangerous Goods (GB 45835—2025). The regulation …
China
On May 30, 2025, China’s Standardization Administration has issued a new mandatory national standard titled Safety Technical Code for Packaging Containing a Variety of Dangerous Goods (GB 45835—2025). The regulation …
China
On July 10, 2025, China’s Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) has released the first edition of the Product Carbon Footprint Label Certification Pilot Program Product List. The announcement follows the …
China
On May 30, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released a revised mandatory national standard, titled Limit of Harmful Substances of Coatings—Part 1: Architectural Coatings (GB 30981.1-2025). The …
China
On April 25, 2025, China’s National Standardization Administration announced a new recommended national standard, titled Specification for the Usability Classification of Second-Hand Electronic Products (GB/T 45656-2025). The regulation took effect …
China
On May 30, 2025, China’s Standardization Administration issued a mandatory national standard, the “Limit of Harmful Substances of Coatings—Part 2: Industrial Coatings” (GB 30981.2-2025). It will come into effect June …
China
On June 16, 2025, China’s General Administration of Customs issued a Notice on Matters Concerning Customs Inquiries Related to Dual-Use Item Export Control (General Administration of Customs Notice No. 123 …
China
On June 23, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published the Second List of Toxic and Hazardous Water Pollutants on its official website. The list was developed in accordance …
China
On June 12, 2025, China’s Jiangsu province issues the 2025 edition of the List of Administrative Law Enforcement Items for Ecological and Environmental Protection. The list shows environmental violations with …
China
On June 10, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission published draft revised Energy Planning Management Measures. The commission is seeking comments on the draft through July 9, 2025. The …
China
On April 25, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced the release of a new recommended national standard titled Coding Rules for Lithium-Ion Batteries (GB/T 45565-2025), in a move …
China
On April 25, 2025, China’s Standardization Administration announced the release of a revised voluntary national standard titled “Packaging of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances—Part 1: General Requirements” (GB/T 22939.1-2025). The …
China
On May 26, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on its website a survey of the use of UV-328, a chemical used as an ultraviolet (UV) absorber, in …
China
On May 25, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment published on its website Administrative Measures for Listing-based Government Oversight Against Major Environmental Violations. It came into effect immediately, replacing …
China
On June 9, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, General Administration of Customs, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued a notice, to standardize the import management …
China
On May 30, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission and National Energy Administration issued a circular on the orderly development of “green power direct connection” systems, where green power …
China
In May 2025, the China National Light Industry Council published a draft of a recommended national standard titled “Specification for the Use of Recycled Materials in Household Appliances.” The proposed …
China
On May 14, 2025, China’s central government released a new policy, aimed at improving the market-based allocation of environmental resources. The guideline, titled the “Framework for the Market-Based Allocation …
China
On April 25, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has issued a new mandatory national standard, titled General Code for Standardized Safe Production in Hazardous Chemical Enterprises (GB 45673-2025), …
China
On June 16, 2025, the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region announced that it will prohibit the import, export, and transshipment of 14 types of mercury-added products …
China
On May 13, 2025, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released a draft of a new mandatory national standard titled “Safety Technical Requirements for Children’s Wristwatches” and began soliciting …
China
On April 25, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has issued a new mandatory national standard, titled General Code for Standardized Safe Production in Hazardous Chemical Enterprises (GB 45673-2025), …
China
According to information released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China on May 6, 2025, the Ministry announced three lists as of April 30, 2025: the “Existing Chemical …
China
On April 17, 2025, China National Light Industry Council published a draft national voluntary standard called the Technical Specifications for Lithium-ion Batteries for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances. The council …
China
On May 22, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, along with 14 other government agencies, jointly released the National Climate Change Response Standards System Development Plan. The plan outlines …
China
On May 12, 2025, China’s Ministry of Water Resources has released a draft set of 14 mandatory national standards that define industrial water use quotas for various sectors operating in …
China
On May 13, 2025, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management has issued a new mandatory industry standard, AQ 7017-2025, titled “Safety Code for Lithium-Ion Battery Production.” The standard will take effect …
China
On April 21, 2025, the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau issued Registration and Management Rules for Carbon Emissions Trading Market for the carbon market of Beijing, China. The Rules …
China
On March 28, 2025, China’s Standardization Administration issued a mandatory national standard, the “List of Dangerous Goods” (GB 12268-2025). It will come into effect Oct. 1, 2025, replacing the current …
China
On May 18, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced the conclusion of its anti-dumping investigation on polyoxymethylene copolymer imported from the U.S., the EU, Taiwan and Japan (Ministry of Commerce …
China
On April 9, 2025, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced a national implementation plan on fulfilling the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer during the 2025-2030 …
China
On April 27, 2025, China’s National People’s Congress released a draft of the Ecological and Environmental Protection Code on its official website and began soliciting public feedback. The consultation period …
China
On March 31, 2025, China’s Ministry of Water Resources, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and other central agencies, has …
China
One April 13, 2025, China’s State Council has issued a revised version of the Interim Regulations on Express Delivery, introducing new requirements aimed at promoting environmentally friendly, reduced, and recyclable …
China
On Aril 24, 2025, China’s National Development and Reform Commission published on its website the 2025 edition of the Market Access Negative List. It lists things and activities for which …
China (1,040)
*Hong Kong (22)
*Taiwan (223)
Japan (79)
South Korea (293)
Brunei (8)
Cambodia (2)
Indonesia (112)
Laos (14)
Malaysia (126)
Myanmar (7)
Philippines (154)
Singapore (131)
Thailand (218)
Vietnam (307)
Oman (2)
Saudi Arabia (6)
Australia (55)
New Zealand (21)
