Local governments of China incorporate microplastics regulations in their new pollutant control programs

Local governments of China are launching programs for new pollutant control one after another, in response to the national new pollutant control program announced by the State Council May 24, 2022.

The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment announced a new pollutant control program Jan. 1, 2023, and released a 2023 list of key controlled new pollutants Feb. 3. This list of new pollutants includes microplastics and bisphenol A in addition to the 14 substances listed in the corresponding national list. Shandong and Jiangsu provinces’ programs include research and monitoring of microplastics.