調(diào)整因保護環(huán)境和自然資源、防治污染和其他公害而產(chǎn)生的各種社會關(guān)系的法律規(guī)范的總稱。

 環(huán)境保護法(environment protection law)

定義

18世紀(jì)末19世紀(jì)初的產(chǎn)業(yè)革命，使社會生產(chǎn)力大發(fā)展，也使大氣污染和水污染日趨嚴(yán)重。20世紀(jì)后，化學(xué)和石油工業(yè)的發(fā)展對環(huán)境的污染更為嚴(yán)重。一些國家先后采取立法措施，以保護人類賴以生存的生態(tài)環(huán)境。一般先是地區(qū)性立法，后發(fā)展成全國性立法，其內(nèi)容最初只限于工業(yè)污染，后來發(fā)展為全面的環(huán)境保護立法。隨著全球性的環(huán)境污染和破壞的發(fā)生，國際環(huán)境法應(yīng)運而生。

中國非常重視環(huán)境保護立法工作?！吨腥A人民共和國憲法》明確規(guī)定：“國家保護和改善生活環(huán)境和生態(tài)環(huán)境，防治污染和其他公害。”《中華人民共和國刑法》將嚴(yán)重危害自然環(huán)境、破壞野生動植物資源的行為定為危害公共安全罪和破壞社會主義經(jīng)濟秩序罪。1979年，全國人民代表大會常務(wù)委員會通過并頒布了 《中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法(試行)》。自1982年以后，全國人民代表大會常務(wù)委員會先后通過了《中華人民共和國海洋環(huán)境保護法》、《中華人民共和國水污染防治法》和《中華人民共和國大氣污染防治法》。1989年12月26日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務(wù)委員會第十一次會議通過了《中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法》。另外，國務(wù)院還頒布了一系列保護環(huán)境、防止污染及其他公害的行政法規(guī)。

《中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法》

《中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法》共6章，包括總則，環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理，保護和改善環(huán)境，防治環(huán)境污染和其他公害，法律責(zé)任和附則。主要內(nèi)容有：①適用范圍包括：大氣、水、海洋、土地、礦藏、森林、草原、野生生物、自然遺跡、人文遺跡、自然保護區(qū)、風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)、城市和鄉(xiāng)村等。該法規(guī)定應(yīng)防治的污染和其他公害有：廢氣、廢水、廢渣、粉塵、惡臭氣體、放射性物質(zhì)以及噪聲、振動、電磁波輻射等。②通過規(guī)定排污標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，建立環(huán)境監(jiān)測、防污設(shè)施建設(shè)三同時，交納超標(biāo)準(zhǔn)排污費等制度，保護和改善生活環(huán)境與生態(tài)環(huán)境，防治污染和其他公害。

中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法

頒布機關(guān)：全國人民代表大會常務(wù)委員會

頒布時間：1989-12-26

實施時間：1989-12-26

發(fā)文文號：中華人民共和國主席令第22號

時 效 性：有效

《中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法》已由中華人民共和國第七屆全國人民代表大會常務(wù)委員會第十一次會議于1989年12月26日通過，現(xiàn)予公布，自公布之日施行。

中華人民共和國主席 楊尚昆

一九八九年十二月二十六日

第一章 總則

第一條

為保護和改善生活環(huán)境與生態(tài)環(huán)境，防治污染和其他公害，保障人體健康，促進社會主義現(xiàn)代化建設(shè)的發(fā)展，制定本法。

第二條

本法所稱環(huán)境，是指影響人類生存和發(fā)展的各種天然的和經(jīng)過人工改造的自然因素的總體，包括大氣、水、海洋、土地、礦藏、森林、草原、野生生物、自然遺跡、人文遺跡、自然保護區(qū)、風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)、城市和鄉(xiāng)村等。

第三條

本法適用于中華人民共和國領(lǐng)域和中華人民共和國管轄的其他海域。

第四條

國家制定的環(huán)境保護規(guī)劃必須納入國民經(jīng)濟和社會發(fā)展計劃，國家采取有利于環(huán)境保護的經(jīng)濟、技術(shù)政策和措施，使環(huán)境保護工作同經(jīng)濟建設(shè)和社會發(fā)展相協(xié)調(diào)。

第五條

國家鼓勵環(huán)境保護科學(xué)教育事業(yè)的發(fā)展，加強環(huán)境保護科學(xué)技術(shù)的研究和開發(fā)，提高環(huán)境保護科學(xué)技術(shù)水平，普及環(huán)境保護的科學(xué)知識。

第六條

一切單位和個人都有保護環(huán)境的義務(wù)，并有權(quán)對污染和破壞環(huán)境的單位和個人進行檢舉和控告。

第七條

國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門，對全國環(huán)境保護工作實施統(tǒng)一監(jiān)督管理。

縣級以上地方人民政府環(huán)境保護行政主管部門，對本轄區(qū)的環(huán)境保護工作實施統(tǒng)一監(jiān)督管理。

國家海洋行政主管部門、港務(wù)監(jiān)督、漁政、漁港監(jiān)督、軍隊環(huán)境保護部門和各級公安、交通、鐵道、民航管理部門，依照有關(guān)法律的規(guī)定對環(huán)境污染防治實施監(jiān)督管理。

縣級以上人民政府的土地、礦產(chǎn)、林業(yè)、農(nóng)業(yè)、水利行政主管部門，依照有關(guān)法律的規(guī)定對資源的保護實施監(jiān)督管理。

第八條

對保護和改善環(huán)境有顯著成績的單位和個人，由人民政府給予獎勵。

第二章 環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理

第九條

國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門制定國家環(huán)境質(zhì)量標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。

省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府對國家環(huán)境質(zhì)量標(biāo)準(zhǔn)中未作規(guī)定的項目，可以制定地方污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn);并報國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門備案。

第十條

國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門根據(jù)國家環(huán)境質(zhì)量標(biāo)準(zhǔn)和國家經(jīng)濟、技術(shù)條件，制定國家污染排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。

省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府對國家污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)中未作規(guī)定的項目，可以制定地方污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn);對國家污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)中已作規(guī)定的項目，可以制定嚴(yán)于國家污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的地方污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。地方污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)須報國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門備案。

凡是向已有地方污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的區(qū)域排放污染物的，應(yīng)當(dāng)執(zhí)行地方污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。

第十一條

國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門建立監(jiān)測制度，制定監(jiān)測規(guī)范，會同有關(guān)部門，組織監(jiān)測網(wǎng)絡(luò)，加強對環(huán)境監(jiān)測的管理。

國務(wù)院和省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府的環(huán)境保護行政主管部門，應(yīng)當(dāng)定期發(fā)布環(huán)境狀況公報。

第十二條

縣級以上人民政府環(huán)境保護行政主管部門，應(yīng)當(dāng)會同有關(guān)部門對管轄范圍內(nèi)的環(huán)境狀況進行調(diào)查和評價，擬定環(huán)境保護規(guī)劃，經(jīng)計劃部門綜合平衡后，報同級人民政府批準(zhǔn)實施。

第十三條

建設(shè)污染環(huán)境的項目，必須遵守國家有關(guān)建設(shè)項目環(huán)境保護管理的規(guī)定。

建設(shè)項目的環(huán)境影響報告書，必須對建設(shè)項目產(chǎn)生的污染和對環(huán)境的影響作出評價，規(guī)定防治措施，經(jīng)項目主管部門預(yù)審并依照規(guī)定的程序報環(huán)境保護行政主管部門批準(zhǔn)。環(huán)境影響報告書經(jīng)批準(zhǔn)后，計劃部門方可批準(zhǔn)建設(shè)項目設(shè)計任務(wù)書。

第十四條

縣級以上人民政府環(huán)境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規(guī)定行使環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理權(quán)的部門;有權(quán)對管轄范圍內(nèi)的排污單位進行現(xiàn)場檢查。被檢查的單位應(yīng)當(dāng)如實反映情況，提供必要的資料。檢查機關(guān)應(yīng)當(dāng)為檢查的單位保守技術(shù)秘密和業(yè)務(wù)秘密。

第十五條

跨行政區(qū)的環(huán)境污染和環(huán)境破壞的防治工作，由有關(guān)地方人民政府協(xié)商解決，或者由上級人民政府協(xié)調(diào)解決，作出決定。

第三章 保護和改善環(huán)境

第十六條 地方各級人民政府，應(yīng)當(dāng)對本轄區(qū)的環(huán)境質(zhì)量負(fù)責(zé)，采取措施改善環(huán)境質(zhì)量。

第十七條 各級人民政府對具有代表性各種類型的自然生態(tài)系統(tǒng)區(qū)域，珍稀、瀕危的野生動植物自然分布區(qū)域，重要的水源涵養(yǎng)區(qū)域，具有重大科學(xué)文化價值的地質(zhì)構(gòu)造、著名溶洞和化石分布區(qū)、冰川、火山、溫泉等自然遺跡，以及人文遺跡、古樹名木，應(yīng)當(dāng)采取措施加以保護;嚴(yán)禁破壞。

第十八條 在國務(wù)院、國務(wù)院有關(guān)主管部門和省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府劃定的風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)、自然保護區(qū)和其他需要特別保護的區(qū)域內(nèi)，不得建設(shè)污染環(huán)境的工業(yè)生產(chǎn)設(shè)施;建設(shè)其他設(shè)施，其污染物排放不得超過規(guī)定的排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。已經(jīng)建成的設(shè)施，其污染物排放超過規(guī)定的排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的，限期治理。

第十九條 開發(fā)利用自然資源，必須采取措施保護生態(tài)環(huán)境。

第二十條 各級人民政府應(yīng)當(dāng)加強對農(nóng)業(yè)環(huán)境的保護，防治土壤污染、土地沙化、漬化、貧瘠化、沼澤化、地面沉降和防治植被破壞、水土流失、水源枯竭、種源滅絕以及其他生態(tài)失調(diào)現(xiàn)象的發(fā)生和發(fā)展，推廣植物病蟲害的綜合防治，合理使用化肥、農(nóng)藥及植物生長激素。

第二十一條 國務(wù)院和沿海地方各級人民政府應(yīng)當(dāng)加強對海洋環(huán)境的保護。向海洋排放污染物、傾倒廢棄物，進行海岸工程建設(shè)和海洋石油勘探開發(fā)，必須依照法律的規(guī)定，防止對海洋環(huán)境的污染等。

第二十二條 制定城市規(guī)劃，應(yīng)當(dāng)確定保護和改善環(huán)境的目標(biāo)和任務(wù)。

第二十三條 城鄉(xiāng)建設(shè)應(yīng)當(dāng)結(jié)合當(dāng)?shù)刈匀画h(huán)境的特點，保護植被、水域或自然景觀，加強城市園林、綠地和風(fēng)景名勝區(qū)的建設(shè)。

第四章 防治環(huán)境污染和其他公害

第二十四條 產(chǎn)生環(huán)境污染和其他公害的單位，必須把環(huán)境保護工作納入計劃，建立環(huán)境保護責(zé)任制度;采取有效措施，防治在生產(chǎn)建設(shè)或者其他活動中產(chǎn)生的廢氣、廢水、廢渣、粉塵、惡臭氣體、放射性物質(zhì)以及噪聲、振動、電磁波輻射等對環(huán)境的污染和危害。

第二十五條 新建工業(yè)企業(yè)和現(xiàn)有工業(yè)企業(yè)的技術(shù)改造，應(yīng)當(dāng)采用資源利用率高、污染物排放量少的設(shè)備和工藝，采用經(jīng)濟合理的廢棄物綜合利用技術(shù)和污染物處理技術(shù)。

第二十六條 建設(shè)項目中防治污染的設(shè)施，必須與主體工程同時設(shè)計、同時施工、同時投產(chǎn)使用。防治污染的設(shè)施必須經(jīng)原審批環(huán)境影響報告書的環(huán)境保護行政主管部門驗收合格后，該建設(shè)項目方可投入生產(chǎn)或者使用。

防治污染的設(shè)施不得擅自拆除或者閑置，確有必有拆除或者閑置的，必須征得所在地的環(huán)境保護行政主管部門同意。

第二十七條 排放污染物的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位，必須依照國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門的規(guī)定申報登記。

第二十八條 排放污染物超過國家或者地方規(guī)定的污染物排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位，依照國家規(guī)定繳納超標(biāo)準(zhǔn)排污費，并負(fù)責(zé)治理。水污染防治法另有規(guī)定的，依照水污染防治法的規(guī)定執(zhí)行。

征收的超標(biāo)準(zhǔn)排污費必須用于污染的防治，不得挪作他用，具體使用辦法由國務(wù)院規(guī)定。

第二十九條 對造成環(huán)境嚴(yán)重污染的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位，限期治理。

中央或者省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府直接管轄的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位的限期治理，由省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府決定。市、縣或者市、縣以下人民政府管轄的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位的限期治理，由市、縣人民政府決定。被限期治理的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位必須如期完成治理任務(wù)。

第三十條 禁止引進不符合我國環(huán)境保護規(guī)定要求的技術(shù)和設(shè)備。

第三十一條 因發(fā)生事故或者其他突然性事件，造成或者可能造成污染事故的單位，必須立即采取措施處理，及時通報可能受到污染危害的單位和居民，并向當(dāng)?shù)丨h(huán)境保護行政主管部門和有關(guān)部門報告，接受調(diào)查處理。

可能發(fā)生重大污染事故的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位，應(yīng)當(dāng)采取措施，加強防范。

第三十二條 縣級以上地方人民政府環(huán)境保護行政主管部門，在環(huán)境受到嚴(yán)重污染威脅居民生命財產(chǎn)安全時，必須立即向當(dāng)?shù)厝嗣裾畧蟾妫扇嗣裾扇∮行Т胧?，解除或者減輕危害。

第三十三條 生產(chǎn)、儲存、運輸、銷售、使用有毒化學(xué)物品和含有放射性物質(zhì)的物品，必須遵守國家有關(guān)規(guī)定，防止污染環(huán)境。

第三十四條 任何單位不得將產(chǎn)生嚴(yán)重污染的生產(chǎn)設(shè)備轉(zhuǎn)移給沒有污染防治能力的單位使用。

第五章 法律責(zé)任

第三十五條 違反本法規(guī)定，有下列行為之一的，環(huán)境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規(guī)定行使環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理權(quán)的部門可以根據(jù)不同情節(jié)，給予警告或者處以罰款：

(一)拒絕環(huán)境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規(guī)定行使環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理權(quán)的部門現(xiàn)場檢查或者在被檢查時弄虛作假的;

(二)拒報或者謊報國務(wù)院環(huán)境保護行政主管部門規(guī)定的有關(guān)污染物排放申報事項的;

(三)不按國家規(guī)定繳納超標(biāo)準(zhǔn)排污費的;

(四)引進不符合我國環(huán)境保護規(guī)定要求的技術(shù)和設(shè)備的;

(五)將產(chǎn)生嚴(yán)重污染的生產(chǎn)設(shè)備轉(zhuǎn)移給沒有污染防治能力的單位使用的。

第三十六條 建設(shè)項目的防治污染設(shè)施沒有建成或者沒有達到國家規(guī)定的要求，投入生產(chǎn)或者使用的，由批準(zhǔn)該建設(shè)項目的環(huán)境影響報告書的環(huán)境保護行政主管部門責(zé)令停止生產(chǎn)或者使用，可以并處罰款。

第三十七條 未經(jīng)環(huán)境保護行政主管部門同意，擅自拆除或者閑置防治污染的設(shè)施，污染物排放超過規(guī)定的排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的，由環(huán)境保護行政主管部門責(zé)令重新安裝使用，并處罰款。

第三十八條 對違反本法規(guī)定，造成環(huán)境污染事故的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位，由環(huán)境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規(guī)定行使環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理權(quán)的部門。根據(jù)所造成的危害后果處以罰款;情節(jié)較重的，對有關(guān)責(zé)任人員由其所在單位或者政府主管機關(guān)給予行政處分。

第三十九條 對限期治理逾期未完成治理的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位，除依照國家規(guī)定加收超標(biāo)準(zhǔn)排污費外，可以根據(jù)所造成危害后果處以罰款，或者責(zé)令停業(yè)、關(guān)閉。

前款規(guī)定的罰款由環(huán)境保護行政主管部門決定。責(zé)令停業(yè)、關(guān)閉，由作出限期治理決定的的人民政府決定;責(zé)令中央直接管轄的企業(yè)事業(yè)單位停業(yè)、關(guān)閉，須報國務(wù)院批準(zhǔn)。

第四十條 當(dāng)事人對行政處罰決定不服的，可以在接到處罰通知之日起十五日內(nèi)，向作出處罰決定的機關(guān)的上一級機關(guān)申請復(fù)議;以復(fù)議決定不服的，可以在接到復(fù)議決定之日起十五日內(nèi)，向人民法院起訴。當(dāng)事人逾期不申請復(fù)議、也不向人民法院起訴、又不履行處罰決定的，由作出處罰決定的機關(guān)申請人民法院強制執(zhí)行。

第四十一條 造成環(huán)境污染危害的，有責(zé)任排除危害，并對直接受到損害的單位或者個人賠償損失。

賠償責(zé)任和賠償金額的糾紛，可以根據(jù)當(dāng)事人的請求，由環(huán)境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照省委規(guī)定行使環(huán)境監(jiān)督管理權(quán)的部門處理;當(dāng)事人對處理決定不服的。可以向人民法院起訴。當(dāng)事人也可以直接向人民法院直起訴。

完全由于不可抗拒的自然災(zāi)害，并經(jīng)及時采取合理措施，仍然不能避免造成環(huán)境污染損害的，免予承擔(dān)責(zé)任。

第四十二條 因環(huán)境污染損害賠償提起訴訟的時效期間為三年，從當(dāng)事人知道或者應(yīng)當(dāng)知道受到污染損害時起計算。

第四十三條 違反本法規(guī)定，造成重大環(huán)境污染事故，導(dǎo)致公私財產(chǎn)重大損失或者人身傷亡的嚴(yán)重后果的，對直接責(zé)任人員追究刑事責(zé)任。

第四十四條 違反本法規(guī)定，造成土地、森林、草原、水、礦產(chǎn)、漁業(yè)、野生動植物等資源的破壞的，依照有關(guān)法律的規(guī)定承擔(dān)法律責(zé)任。

第四十五條 環(huán)境保護監(jiān)督管理人員濫用職權(quán)、玩忽職守、徇私舞弊的，由其所在單位或者上級主管機關(guān)給予行政處分，構(gòu)成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責(zé)任。

第六章 附則

第四十六條 中華人民共和國締結(jié)或者參加的與環(huán)境保護有關(guān)的國際條約，同中華人民共和國的法律有不同規(guī)定的，適用國際條約的規(guī)定，但中華人民共和國聲明保留的條款除外。

第四十七條 本法自公布之日起施行。《中華人民共和國環(huán)境保護法(試行)》同時廢止。

環(huán)境保護的基本方針、政策和原則;對自然資源的保護;對污染和其他公害的防治;保護環(huán)境和防治污染的法律制度;各種環(huán)境質(zhì)量標(biāo)準(zhǔn)和排放標(biāo)準(zhǔn)及違反環(huán)境保護法應(yīng)承擔(dān)的法律責(zé)任;執(zhí)法機構(gòu)和訴訟程序。

英文本

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Important Notice: (注意事項)

英文本源自中華人民共和國務(wù)院法制局編譯, 中國法制出版社出版的《中華人民共和國涉外法規(guī)匯編》(1991年7月版).

當(dāng)發(fā)生歧意時, 應(yīng)以法律法規(guī)頒布單位發(fā)布的中文原文為準(zhǔn).

This English document is coming from the "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)

which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State

Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China

Legal System Publishing House.

In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.

Whole Document (法規(guī)全文)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

(Adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the

Seventh National People's Congress on December 26, 1989, promulgated by

Order No. 22 of the President of the People's Republic of China on

December 26, 1989, and effective on the date of promulgation)

Contents

Chapter I General Provisions

Chapter II Supervision and Management of the Environment

Chapter III Protection and Improvement of the Environment

Chapter IV Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution and Other

Public Hazards

Chapter V Legal Liability

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1

This Law is formulated for the purpose of protecting and improving

people's environment and the ecological environment, preventing and

controlling pollution and other public hazards, safeguarding human health

and facilitating the development of socialist modernization.

Article 2

"Environment" as used in this Law refers to the total body of all natural

elements and artificially transformed natural elements affecting human

existence and development, which includes the atmosphere, water, seas,

land, minerals, forests, grasslands, wildlife, natural and human remains,

nature reserves, historic sites and scenic spots, and urban and rural

areas.

Article 3

This Law shall apply to the territory of the People's Republic of China

and other sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of

China.

Article 4

The plans for environmental protection formulated by the state must be

incorporated into the national economic and social development plans; the

state shall adopt economic and technological policies and measures

favourable for environmental protection so as to coordinate the work of

environmental protection with economic construction and social

development.

Article 5

The state shall encourage the development of education in the science of

environmental protection, strengthen the study and development of the

science and technology of environmental protection, raise the scientific

and technological level of environmental protection and popularize

scientific knowledge of environmental protection.

Article 6

All units and individuals shall have the obligation to protect the

environment and shall have the right to report on or file charges against

units or individuals that cause pollution or damage to the environment.

Article 7

The competent department of environmental protection administration under

the State Council shall conduct unified supervision and management of the

environmental protection work throughout the country.

The competent departments of environmental protection administration of

the local people's governments at or above the county level shall conduct

unified supervision and management of the environmental protection work

within areas under their jurisdiction. The state administrative

department of marine affairs, the harbour superintendency administration,

the fisheries administration and fishing harbour superintendency agencies,

the environmental protection department of the armed forces and the

administrative departments of public security, transportation, railways

and civil aviation at various levels shall, in accordance with the

provisions of relevant laws, conduct supervision and management of the

prevention and control of environmental pollution. The competent

administrative departments of land, minerals, forestry, agriculture and

water conservancy of the people's governments at or above the county level

shall, in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws, conduct

supervision and management of the protection of natural resources.

Article 8

The people's government shall give awards to units and individuals that

have made outstanding achievements in protecting and improving the

environment.

Chapter II Supervision and Management of the Environment

Article 9

The competent department of environmental protection administration under

the State Council shall establish the national standards for environment

quality. The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and

municipalities directly under the Central Government may establish their

local standards for environment quality for items not specified in the

national standards for environment quality and shall report them to the

competent department of environmental protection administration under the

State Council for the record.

Article 10

The competent department of environmental protection administration under

the State Council shall, in accordance with the national standards for

environment quality and the country's economic and technological

conditions, establish the national standards for the discharge of

pollutants.

The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and

municipalities directly under the Central Government may establish their

local standards for the discharge of pollutants for items not specified in

the national standards; with regard to items already specified in the

national standards, they may set local standards which are more stringent

than the national standards and report the same to the competent

department of environmental protection administration under the State

Council for the record. Units that discharge pollutants in areas where

the local standards for the discharge of pollutants have been established

shall observe such local standards.

Article 11

The competent department of environmental protection administration under

the State Council shall establish a monitoring system, formulate the

monitoring norm and, in conjunction with relevant departments, organize a

monitoring network and strengthen the management of environmental

monitoring.

The competent departments of environmental protection administration under

the State Council and governments of provinces, autonomous regions and

municipalities directly under the Central Government shall regularly issue

bulletins on environmental situations.

Article 12

The competent departments of environmental protection administration of

the people's governments at or above the county level shall, in

conjunction with relevant departments, make an investigation and an

assessment of the environmental situation within areas under their

jurisdiction, draw up plans for environmental protection which shall,

subject to overall balancing by the department of planning, be submitted

to the people's government at the same level for approval before

implementation.

Article 13

Units constructing projects that cause pollution to the environment must

observe the state provisions concerning environmental protection for such

construction projects. The environmental impact statement on a

construction project must assess the pollution the projects is likely to

produce and its impact on the environment and stipulate the preventive and

curative measures; the statement shall, after initial examination by the

authorities in charge of the construction project, be submitted by

specified procedure to the competent department of environmental

protection administration for approval. The department of planning shall

not ratify the design plan descriptions of the construction project until

after the environmental impact statement on the construction project is

approved.

Article 14

The competent departments of environmental protection administration of

the people's governments at or above the county level or other departments

invested by law with power to conduct environmental supervision and

management shall be empowered to make on-site inspections of units under

their jurisdiction that discharge pollutants. The units being inspected

shall truthfully report the situation to them and provide them with the

necessary information. The inspecting authorities shall keep confidential

the technological know-how and business secrets of the units inspected.

Article 15

Work for the prevention and control of the environmental pollution and

damage that involve various administrative areas shall be conducted by the

relevant local people's governments through negotiation, or by decision of

the people's government at a higher level through mediation.

Chapter III Protection and Improvement of the Environment

Article 16

The local people's governments at various levels shall be responsible for

the environment quality of areas under their jurisdiction and take

measures to improve the environment quality.

Article 17

The people's governments at various levels shall take measures to protect

regions representing various types of natural ecological systems, regions

with a natural distribution of rare and endangered wild animals and

plants, regions where major sources of water are conserved, geological

structures of major scientific and cultural value, famous regions where

karst caves and fossil deposits are distributed, traces of glaciers,

volcanos and hot springs, traces of human history, and ancient and

precious trees. Damage to the above shall be strictly forbidden.

Article 18

Within the scenic spots or historic sites, nature reserves and other zones

that need special protection, as designated by the State Council, the

relevant competent department under the State Council, and the people's

governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly

under the Central Government, no industrial production installations that

cause environmental pollution shall be built; other installations to be

built in these areas must not exceed the prescribed standards for the

discharge of pollutants. If the installations that have been built

discharge more pollutants than are specified by the prescribed discharge

standards, such pollution shall be eliminated or controlled within a

prescribed period of time.

Article 19

Measures must be taken to protect the ecological environment while natural

resources are being developed or utilized.

Article 20

The people's governments at various levels shall provide better protection

for the agricultural environment by preventing and controlling soil

pollution, the desertification and alkalization of land, the

impoverishment of soil, the deterioration of land into marshes, earth

subsidence, the damage of vegetation, soil erosion, the drying up of

sources of water, the extinction of species and the occurrence and

development of other ecological imbalances, by extending the scale of a

comprehensive prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests,

and by promoting a rational application of chemical fertilizers,

pesticides and plant growth hormone.

Article 21

The State Council and the people's governments at various levels in

coastal areas shall provide better protection for the marine environment.

The discharge of pollutants and the dumping of wastes into the seas, the

construction of coastal projects, and the exploration and exploitation of

offshore oil must be conducted in compliance with legal provisions so as

to guard against the pollution and damage of the marine environment.

Article 22

The targets and tasks for protecting and improving the environment shall

be defined in urban planning.

Article 23

In urban and rural construction, vegetation, waters and the natural

landscape shall be protected and attention paid to the construction of

gardens, green land and historic sites and scenic spots in the cities in

the light of the special features of the local natural environment.

Chapter IV Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution and Other Public Hazards

Article 24

Units that cause environmental pollution and other public hazards shall

incorporate the work of environmental protection into their plans and

establish a responsibility system for environmental protection, and must

adopt effective measures to prevent and control the pollution and harms

caused to the environment by waste gas, waste water, waste residues, dust,

malodorous gases, radioactive substances, noise, vibration and

electromagnetic radiation generated in the course of production,

construction or other activities.

Article 25

For the technological transformation of newly-built industrial enterprises

and existing industrial enterprises, facilities and processes that effect

a high rate of the utilization of resources and a low rate of the

discharge of pollutants shall be used, along with economical and rational

technology for the comprehensive utilization of waste materials and the

treatment of pollutants.

Article 26

Installations for the prevention and control of pollution at a

construction project must be designed, built and commissioned together

with the principal part of the project. No permission shall be given for a

construction project to be commissioned or used, until its installations

for the prevention and control of pollution are examined and considered up

to the standard by the competent department of environmental protection

administration that examined and approved the environmental impact

statement. Installations for the prevention and control of pollution

shall not be dismantled or left idle without authorization. If it is

really necessary to dismantle such installations or leave them idle, prior

approval shall be obtained from the competent department of environmental

protection administration in the locality.

Article 27

Enterprises and institutions discharging pollutants must report to and

register with the relevant authorities in accordance with the provisions

of the competent department of environmental protection administration

under the State Council.

Article 28

Enterprises and institutions discharging pollutants in excess of the

prescribed national or local discharge standards shall pay a fee for

excessive discharge according to state provisions and shall assume

responsibility for eliminating and controlling the pollution. The

provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Water Pollution shall

be complied with where they are applicable.

The income derived from the fee levied for the excessive discharge of

pollutants must be used for the prevention and control of pollution and

shall not be appropriated for other purposes. The specific measures

thereof shall be prescribed by the State Council.

Article 29

If an enterprise or institution has caused severe environmental pollution,

it shall be required to eliminate and control the pollution within a

certain period of time. For enterprises and institutions directly under

the jurisdiction of the Central Government or the people's government of a

province, an autonomous region, or a municipality directly under the

Central Government, the decision on a deadline for the elimination or

control of pollution shall be made by the people's government of the

province, autonomous region and the municipality directly under the

Central Government. For enterprises and institutions under the

jurisdiction of a people's government at or below the city or county

level, such decision shall be made by the people's government of the city

or county. Such enterprises and institutions shall accomplish the

elimination or control of pollution within the specified period of time.

Article 30

A ban shall be imposed on the importation of any technology or facility

that fails to meet the requirements specified in the regulations of our

country concerning environmental protection.

Article 31

Any unit that, as a result of an accident or any other exigency, has

caused or threatens to cause an accident of pollution, must promptly take

measures to prevent and control the pollution hazards, make the situation

known to such units and inhabitants as are likely to be endangered by such

hazards, report the case to the competent department of environmental

protection administration of the locality and the departments concerned

and accept their investigation and decision.

Enterprises and institutions that are likely to cause severe pollution

accidents shall adopt measures for effective prevention.

Article 32

If the safety of the lives and property of inhabitants is endangered by

severe environmental pollution, the competent department of environmental

protection administration of the local people's government at or above the

county level must promptly report to the local people's government. The

people's government concerned shall take effective measures to remove or

alleviate the hazard.

Article 33

The production, storage, transportation, sale and use of toxic chemicals

and materials containing radioactive substances must comply with the

relevant state provisions so as to prevent environmental pollution.

Article 34

No unit shall be permitted to transfer a production facility that causes

severe pollution for use by a unit that is unable to prevent and control

pollution.

Chapter V Legal Liability

Article 35

Any violator of this Law shall, according to the circumstances of the

case, be warned or fined by the competent department of environmental

protection administration or another department invested by law with power

to conduct environmental supervision and management for any of the

following acts:

(1) refusing an on-site inspection by the competent department of

environmental protection administration or another department invested by

law with power to conduct environmental supervision and management, or

resorting to trickery and fraud while undergoing inspection;

(2) refusing to report or submitting a false report on items for which

declaration is required by the competent department of environmental

protection administration under the State Council;

(3) failing to pay, as provided for by the state, the fee for the

excessive discharge of pollutants;

(4) importing technology or a facility that fails to meet the requirements

specified in the state provisions concerning environmental protection; or

(5) transferring a production facility that causes severe pollution for

use by a unit that is unable to prevent and control pollution.

Article 36

When a construction project is commissioned or put to use in circumstances

where facilities for the prevention and control of pollution either have

not been completed or fail to meet the requirements specified in state

provisions, the competent department of environmental protection

administration responsible for the approval of the environmental impact

statement on the construction project shall order the suspension of its

operations or use and may concurrently impose a fine.

Article 37

A unit which dismantles or leaves idle the installations for the

prevention and control of pollution without prior approval by the

competent department of environmental protection administration, thereby

discharging pollutants in excess of the prescribed discharge standards,

shall be ordered by the competent department of environmental protection

administration to set up the installations or put them to use again, and

shall concurrently be fined.

Article 38

An enterprise or institution which violates this Law, thereby causing an

environmental pollution accident, shall be fined by the competent

department of environmental protection administration or another

department invested by law with power to conduct environmental supervision

and management in accordance with the consequent damage; in a serious

case, the persons responsible shall be subject to administrative sanction

by the unit to which they belong or by the competent department of the

government.

Article 39

An enterprise or institution that has failed to eliminate or control

pollution by the deadline as required shall, as provided for by the state,

pay a fee for excessive discharge; in addition, a fine may be imposed on

it on the basis of the damage incurred, or the enterprise or institution

may be ordered to suspend its operations or close down. The fine as

specified in the preceding paragraph shall be decided by the competent

department of environmental protection administration. An order for the

suspension of operations or shut-down of an enterprise or institution

shall be issued by the people's government that set the deadline for the

elimination or control of pollution. An order for the suspension of

operations or shut-down of an enterprise or institution directly under the

jurisdiction of the Central Government shall be submitted to and approved

by the State Council.

Article 40

A party refusing to accept the decision on administrative sanction may,

within 15 days of receiving the notification on such a decision, apply for

reconsideration to the department next higher to the authorities that

imposed the sanction; if the party refuses to accept the decision of

reconsideration, it may, within 15 days of receiving the reconsideration

decision, bring a suit before a people's court. A party may also bring a

suit directly before a people's court within 15 days of receiving the

notification on the sanction. If, upon the expiration of this period, the

party has not applied for reconsideration or has neither brought a suit

before a people's court nor complied with the sanction, the authorities

that imposed the sanction may apply to the people's court for compulsory

enforcement.

Article 41

A unit that has caused an environmental pollution hazard shall have the

obligation to eliminate it and make compensation to the unit or individual

that suffered direct losses. A dispute over the liability to make

compensation or the amount of compensation may, at the request of the

parties, be settled by the competent department of environmental

protection administration or another department invested by law with power

to conduct environmental supervision and management. If a party refuses to

accept the decision on the settlement, it may bring a suit before a

people's court. The party may also directly bring a suit before the

people's court.

If environmental pollution losses result solely from irresistible natural

disasters which cannot be averted even after the prompt adoption of

reasonable measures, the party concerned shall be exempted from liability.

Article 42

The limitation period for prosecution with respect to compensation for

environmental pollution losses shall be three years, counted from the time

when the party becomes aware of or should become aware of the pollution

losses.

Article 43

If a violation of this Law causes a serious environmental pollution

accident, leading to the grave consequences of heavy losses of public or

private property or human injuries or deaths of persons, the persons

directly responsible for such an accident shall be investigated for

criminal responsibility according to law.

Article 44

Whoever, in violation of this Law, causes damage to natural resources like

land, forests, grasslands, water, minerals, fish, wild animals and wild

plants shall bear legal liability in accordance with the provisions of

relevant laws.

Article 45

Any person conducting supervision and management of environmental

protection who abuses his power, neglects his duty or engages in

malpractices for personal gains shall be given administrative sanction by

the unit to which he belongs or the competent higher authorities; if his

act constitutes a crime, he shall be investigated for criminal

responsibility according to law.

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Article 46

If an international treaty regarding environmental protection concluded or

acceded to by the People's Republic of China contains provisions differing

from those contained in the laws of the People's Republic of China, the

provisions of the international treaty shall apply, unless the provisions

are ones on which the People's Republic of China has announced

reservations.

Article 47

This Law shall enter into force on the date of promulgation. The

Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China (for Trial

Implementation) shall be abrogated therefrom.