China announces the implementation of the selection work for the “top runner” in water use efficiency

On May 31, 2022, the Ministry of Water Resources and the National Development and Reform Commission of China announced a notice for the implementation of the selection work for the “top runner” in water use efficiency for water consuming products in 2022. In order to build a water-saving production mode, lifestyle, and consumption pattern, China promulgated the " Implementation Plan of Water Use Efficiency Top Runner Leading Action "(hereafter referred as Plan) on April 21, 2016. It marked the start of the water use efficiency “top runner” action, which covers three fields: water consuming products, water consuming businesses, and irrigation areas. According to the relevant policies, such as the Plan and the “Implementation Rules for Water Use Efficiency Top Runner Leading Action Plan” (the draft of opinion solicitation was promulgated on January 12, 2022, but has not been officially promulgated at present), there are proposed incentive policies in which water consuming products selected as “top runner” will be subject to priority procurement by the government. Moreover, selection targets, selection conditions and selection procedures are specified in the notice.