China gives explanation for new pollutant control measures

At a press conference held by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China on July 21, 2022, Liu Zhiquan, the director of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Pollution Emission Management Office, gave an explanation for the new pollutant control measures. According to Liu, new pollutants for which emission standards have been established are already subject to environmental impact assessment; therefore, construction projects, which use chemicals that are banned for production or restricted for use, such as those that produce persistent organic matter, will not be approved.

At the press conference, regarding to the Action Plan on Controlling New Pollutants released on May 24, 2022, questions and answers were given on measures for the production and use of new pollutants such as persistent organic pollutants, antibiotics and microplastics, which have attracted worldwide attention. Regarding the above questions, Director Liu gave answers as follows.