Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　April 24, 2014

 

  

 

 

Chapter I General provisions

Article 1 This Law is formulated for the purpose of protecting and improving the environment, preventing and controlling pollution and other public hazards, safeguarding public health, advancing ecological civilization and promoting sustainable economic and social development。

Article 2 "Environment" as mentioned in this Law，It refers to the totality of various natural and artificially modified natural factors that affect human survival and development，Including air, water, ocean, land, mineral resources, forests, grasslands, wetlands, wildlife, natural relics, human relics, nature reserves, scenic spots, cities and villages。

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 Environmental protection is a basic state policy。

The State adopts economic and technological policies and measures conducive to saving and recycling resources, protecting and improving the environment, and promoting harmony between man and nature, so as to coordinate economic and social development with environmental protection。

Article 5 Environmental protection shall adhere to the principles of protection first, prevention first, comprehensive treatment, public participation and liability for damage。

Article 6 All units and individuals shall have the obligation to protect the environment。

Local people's governments at various levels shall be responsible for the environmental quality of their respective administrative areas。

Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators shall prevent and reduce environmental pollution and ecological damage, and bear responsibility for the damage caused in accordance with law。

Citizens should enhance their awareness of environmental protection, adopt a low-carbon and frugal lifestyle, and consciously fulfill their environmental protection obligations。

Article 7 The State supports scientific and technological research, development and application of environmental protection, encourages the development of environmental protection industries, promotes the information construction of environmental protection, and raises the scientific and technological level of environmental protection。

Article 8 People's governments at all levels shall increase financial input for the protection and improvement of the environment, the prevention and control of pollution and other public hazards, and increase the efficiency of the use of financial funds。

Article 9 People's governments at all levels shall strengthen the publicity and popularization of environmental protection, encourage grassroots self-governing organizations of a mass nature, social organizations and environmental protection volunteers to carry out publicity of environmental protection laws, regulations and environmental protection knowledge, and create a good atmosphere for environmental protection。

Educational administrative departments and schools shall incorporate environmental protection knowledge into school education and cultivate students' awareness of environmental protection。

The news media shall carry out publicity of environmental protection laws and regulations and environmental protection knowledge, and supervise environmental violations by public opinion。

Article 10 The competent department of environmental protection under The State Council shall exercise unified supervision and administration over the work of environmental protection throughout the country.The competent departments of environmental protection under the local people's governments at or above the county level shall exercise unified supervision and administration over the work of environmental protection within their respective administrative areas。

The relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level and the environmental protection departments of the armed forces shall, in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws, exercise supervision and administration over environmental protection work such as resource protection and pollution prevention and control。

Article 11 People's governments shall give awards to units and individuals that have made outstanding achievements in protecting and improving the environment。

June 5 of each year is Environment Day。

Chapter II Supervision and administration

Article 13 People's governments at or above the county level shall incorporate environmental protection into their plans for national economic and social development。

The competent department of environmental protection under The State Council shall, together with other relevant departments, work out the national environmental protection plan in accordance with the national economic and social development plan and submit it to The State Council for approval and promulgate it for implementation。

The competent environmental protection departments of the local people's governments at or above the county level shall, in conjunction with other relevant departments, work out environmental protection plans for their respective administrative areas in accordance with the requirements of the State environmental protection plan and submit them to the people's governments at the same level for approval and promulgate them for implementation。

The content of the environmental protection plan shall include the objectives, tasks and safeguard measures for ecological protection and pollution prevention and control, and shall be in line with the main functional zone plan, the general plan for land use and the urban and rural planning。

Article 14 In formulating economic and technological policies, the relevant departments under The State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall give full consideration to the impact on the environment and solicit the opinions of relevant parties and experts。

Article 15 The competent department of environmental protection under The State Council shall establish national standards for environmental quality。

The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may establish local standards for environmental quality for items not specified in the national standards for environmental quality;For items already specified in the national standards for environmental quality, local standards for environmental quality that are stricter than the national standards for environmental quality may be formulated。Local environmental quality standards shall be reported to the competent department of environmental protection under The State Council for the record。

The State encourages environmental benchmarking studies。

Article 16 The competent department of environmental protection under The State Council shall, in accordance with the national standards for environmental 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;For items already specified in the national standards for the discharge of pollutants, local standards for the discharge of pollutants that are stricter than the national standards for the discharge of pollutants may be formulated。Local standards for the discharge of pollutants shall be reported to the competent department of environmental protection under The State Council for the record。

Article 17 The State establishes and improves the environmental monitoring system。The competent department of environmental protection under The State Council shall formulate monitoring norms, organize monitoring networks in conjunction with relevant departments, uniformly plan the setting up of national environmental quality monitoring stations (points), establish monitoring data sharing mechanisms, and strengthen the management of environmental monitoring。

The establishment of various environmental quality monitoring stations (points) in relevant industries and professions shall comply with the requirements of laws and regulations and monitoring norms。

Monitoring institutions shall use monitoring equipment that meets national standards and comply with monitoring norms。The monitoring institution and its responsible person shall be responsible for the authenticity and accuracy of the monitoring data。

Article 18 People's governments at or above the provincial level shall organize relevant departments or entrust professional institutions to investigate and evaluate the environmental situation and establish a monitoring and early warning mechanism for the carrying capacity of environmental resources。

Article 19 An environmental impact assessment shall be carried out in accordance with law in the preparation of relevant development and utilization plans and the construction of projects that have an impact on the environment。

No development and utilization plan without environmental impact assessment according to law shall be organized and implemented;Construction projects without environmental impact assessment in accordance with law shall not start construction。

Article 20 The State establishes cross-administrative coordination mechanisms for joint prevention and control of environmental pollution and ecological damage in key regions and river basins, and implements unified planning, standards, monitoring and prevention and control measures。

The prevention and control of cross-administrative environmental pollution and ecological damage other than those provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be solved by the people's governments at higher levels through coordination or by the local people's governments concerned through consultation。

Article 21 The State adopts policies and measures in the areas of finance, taxation, pricing and government procurement to encourage and support the development of environmental protection industries such as environmental protection technology and equipment, comprehensive utilization of resources and environmental services。

Article 22 Where enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators further reduce the discharge of pollutants on the basis that the discharge of pollutants meets the statutory requirements, the people's government shall adopt policies and measures in the areas of finance, taxation, pricing and government procurement in accordance with law to encourage and support them。

Article 23 Where enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators, in order to improve the environment, change production, relocate or close down in accordance with relevant provisions, the people's government shall provide support。

Article 24 The competent departments for environmental protection of the people's governments at or above the county level, the environmental supervisory institutions entrusted by them and other departments responsible for environmental supervision and administration shall have the right to conduct on-site inspections of enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators that discharge pollutants。The inspected person shall truthfully report the situation and provide the necessary information。The departments and institutions conducting on-site inspection and their staff shall keep the commercial secrets of the inspected。

Article 25 Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators discharge pollutants in violation of laws and regulations，Causing or likely to cause serious pollution，Competent departments of environmental protection of the people's governments at or above the county level and other departments responsible for environmental supervision and administration，Facilities and equipment that cause the discharge of pollutants may be sealed up or impounded。  

Article 26 The State implements the target responsibility system and the assessment and evaluation system for environmental protection。People's governments at or above the county level shall include the completion of environmental protection objectives into the assessment content of the departments and their responsible persons who are responsible for environmental protection supervision and management of the people's governments at the same level and the people's governments at lower levels and their responsible persons, as an important basis for their assessment and evaluation。The assessment results shall be made public。

Article 27 People's governments at or above the county level shall report annually to the people's congress at the corresponding level or the Standing Committee of the people's Congress on the state of the environment and the achievement of environmental protection objectives, and shall promptly report major environmental incidents to the Standing Committee of the people's Congress at the corresponding level and accept supervision according to law。

Chapter III Protection and improvement of environment

Article 28 Local people's governments at all levels shall, in accordance with environmental protection objectives and governance tasks, take effective measures to improve environmental quality。

The relevant local people's governments of key areas and river basins that fail to meet the national standards for environmental quality shall formulate plans for meeting the standards within a prescribed time limit and take measures to meet the standards on time。

Article 29 The State draws red lines for ecological protection in key ecological functional areas, sensitive and vulnerable areas of the ecological environment, and implements strict protection。

People's governments at all levels are representative of the various types of natural ecosystems in the region，Natural distribution area of rare and endangered wild animals and plants，Important water conservation area，Geological structures of great scientific and cultural value, famous karst caves and fossil distribution areas, glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs and other natural relics，As well as human relics, ancient and famous trees，Measures should be taken to protect it，Do not destroy。

Article 30 The exploitation and utilization of natural resources shall be rationally exploited, biodiversity shall be protected, ecological security shall be ensured, and relevant ecological protection, restoration and management plans shall be formulated and implemented in accordance with the law。

The introduction of alien species and the research, development and use of biotechnology should take measures to prevent the destruction of biological diversity。

Article 31 The State establishes and improves a compensation system for ecological protection。

The state will increase financial transfer payments to ecological protection areas。The relevant local people's governments shall implement the ecological protection compensation funds to ensure that they are used for ecological protection compensation。

The State shall guide the people's governments of beneficiary areas and ecological protection areas to make compensation for ecological protection through consultation or in accordance with market rules。

Article 32 The State shall strengthen the protection of the atmosphere, water and soil, and establish and improve corresponding systems for investigation, monitoring, assessment and restoration。

Article 33 People's governments at all levels shall strengthen the protection of the agricultural environment，Promote the use of new technologies for environmental protection in agriculture，Strengthen monitoring and early warning of agricultural pollution sources，Coordinate measures taken by relevant departments，Prevention and control of soil pollution and land desertification, salinization, barren, stony desertification, land subsidence, and prevention and control of vegetation destruction, soil erosion, water eutrophication, water source depletion, seed source extinction and other ecological disorders，We will promote comprehensive prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests。

People's governments at the county and township levels shall improve the level of public services for rural environmental protection and promote comprehensive improvement of the rural environment。

Article 34 The State Council and the people's governments at various levels in coastal areas shall strengthen the protection of the Marine environment。The discharge of pollutants and dumping of wastes into the sea and the construction of coastal projects and Marine projects shall comply with the provisions of laws and regulations and the relevant standards, so as to prevent and reduce pollution damage to the Marine environment。

Article 35 The construction of urban and rural areas shall take into account the characteristics of the local natural environment, protect vegetation, water areas and natural landscapes, and strengthen the construction and management of urban gardens, green Spaces and scenic spots。

Article 36 The State encourages and guides citizens, legal persons and other organizations to use products and recycled products conducive to the protection of the environment and to reduce the generation of waste。

State organs and other organizations using financial funds shall give priority to the procurement and use of products, equipment and facilities that are conducive to environmental protection, such as energy-saving, water-saving and material-saving。

Article 37 Local people's governments at all levels shall take measures to organize the classified treatment, recycling and utilization of household waste。

Article 38 Citizens shall abide by laws and regulations on environmental protection, cooperate with the implementation of environmental protection measures, classify and place household waste in accordance with regulations, and reduce the damage caused by daily life to the environment。

Article 39 The State establishes and improves environmental and health monitoring, investigation and risk assessment systems;To encourage and organize research on the impact of environmental quality on public health, and to take measures to prevent and control diseases related to environmental pollution。

Chapter IV Prevention and Control of Pollution and Other Public Hazards

Article 40 The State promotes cleaner production and the recycling of resources。

The relevant departments under The State Council and the local people's governments at various levels shall take measures to promote the production and use of clean energy。

Enterprises shall give priority to the use of clean energy, and adopt processes and equipment with high resource utilization rate and low pollutant discharge, as well as comprehensive waste utilization technology and harmless pollutant treatment technology to reduce the generation of pollutants。

Article 41 Facilities for the prevention and control of pollution in a construction project shall be designed, constructed and put into operation at the same time as the main part of the project。Facilities for the prevention and control of pollution shall comply with the requirements of the approved environmental impact assessment documents, and shall not be dismantled or left idle without authorization。

Article 42 Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators discharging pollutants，Measures should be taken，Prevent and control environmental pollution and harm caused by waste gas, waste water, waste residue, medical waste, dust, malodorous gases, radioactive substances, noise, vibration, optical radiation and electromagnetic radiation generated in production, construction or other activities。

Enterprises and institutions that discharge pollutants shall establish a responsibility system for environmental protection and clarify the responsibilities of the person in charge of the unit and relevant personnel。

Key pollutant discharge units shall install and use monitoring equipment in accordance with relevant state regulations and monitoring norms, ensure the normal operation of monitoring equipment, and keep original monitoring records。

It is strictly prohibited to illegally discharge pollutants through hidden pipes, seepage Wells, pits, perfusion, tampering, falsifying monitoring data, or abnormal operation of pollution prevention and control facilities to evade supervision。

Article 43 Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators that discharge pollutants shall pay pollutant discharge fees in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State。All pollution discharge fees shall be used exclusively for the prevention and control of environmental pollution, and no unit or individual may withhold, divert or misappropriate them for other purposes。

Where an environmental protection tax is levied in accordance with the provisions of the law, no pollution discharge fee shall be levied。

Article 44 The State applies a system of total emission control for key pollutants。The total emission control targets for key pollutants shall be assigned by The State Council and implemented by the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government。While implementing the national and local standards for the discharge of pollutants, enterprises and public institutions shall, at the same time, comply with the total emission control targets for key pollutants implemented by their own units。

For areas that exceed the total emission control targets of key pollutants of the State or fail to meet the environmental quality targets determined by the State, the competent environmental protection departments of the people's governments at or above the provincial level shall suspend the examination and approval of the environmental impact assessment documents of the construction projects with the total emission of new key pollutants。

Article 45 The State shall, in accordance with the law, implement a system of discharge permit administration。

Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators subject to the administration of discharge permits shall discharge pollutants in accordance with the requirements of discharge permits.Those who have not obtained a discharge permit shall not discharge pollutants。

Article 46 The State applies a system of elimination to processes, equipment and products that seriously pollute the environment。No unit or individual may produce, sell, transfer or use processes, equipment or products that seriously pollute the environment。

It is prohibited to introduce technology, equipment, materials and products that do not conform to China's regulations on environmental protection。

Article 47 People's governments at all levels, their relevant departments, enterprises and institutions shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China, do a good job in risk control, emergency preparedness, emergency handling and post-event recovery of environmental emergencies。

People's governments at or above the county level shall establish public monitoring and early warning mechanisms for environmental pollution and organize the formulation of early warning plans;When the environment is polluted, which may affect public health and environmental safety, early warning information shall be published in a timely manner according to law, and emergency measures shall be initiated。

Enterprises and institutions shall, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State, formulate emergency plans for environmental emergencies and submit them to competent environmental protection departments and relevant departments for the record。When an environmental emergency occurs or is likely to occur, enterprises and institutions shall take immediate measures to deal with it, promptly notify the units and residents that may be harmed, and report to the competent environmental protection department and relevant departments。

After the completion of the emergency handling of environmental emergencies, the people's governments concerned shall immediately organize an assessment of the environmental impact and losses caused by the incident, and promptly publish the assessment results to the public。

Article 48 The production, storage, transportation, sale, use and disposal of chemical substances and articles containing radioactive substances shall comply with the relevant provisions of the State so as to prevent environmental pollution。

Article 49 People's governments at all levels and their agricultural and other relevant departments and institutions shall guide agricultural producers and operators in scientific planting and breeding, scientific and rational application of agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, scientific disposal of agricultural wastes such as agricultural films and crop stalks, and prevention of pollution from non-point agricultural sources。

It is prohibited to put solid waste and wastewater that do not meet agricultural standards and environmental protection standards into farmland。Measures shall be taken to prevent environmental pollution by heavy metals and other toxic and harmful substances in the application of agricultural inputs such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers and in irrigation。

The site selection, construction and management of livestock and poultry farms, breeding communities, and designated slaughtering enterprises shall comply with relevant laws and regulations。Units and individuals engaged in livestock breeding and slaughtering shall take measures to scientifically dispose of wastes such as feces, carcasses and sewage of livestock and poultry so as to prevent environmental pollution。

The people's government at the county level shall be responsible for organizing the disposal of rural household waste。

Article 50 People's governments at all levels shall allocate funds in their fiscal budgets to support environmental protection work such as the protection of rural drinking water sources, the treatment of domestic sewage and other wastes, the prevention and control of pollution from livestock and poultry breeding and slaughtering, the prevention and control of soil pollution and the control of pollution from rural industries and mines。

Article 51 People's governments at all levels shall coordinate urban and rural construction sewage treatment facilities and supporting pipe networks, environmental health facilities such as the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste, facilities and sites for the centralized disposal of hazardous waste and other public facilities for environmental protection, and ensure their normal operation。

Article 52 The State encourages the insurance of environmental pollution liability。 

Chapter V Information disclosure and public participation 

Article 53 Citizens, legal persons and other organizations shall have the right to obtain environmental information, participate in and supervise environmental protection according to law。

The competent environmental protection departments of the people's governments at all levels and other departments responsible for environmental supervision and administration shall, in accordance with the law, disclose environmental information, improve public participation procedures, and provide convenience for citizens, legal persons and other organizations to participate in and supervise environmental protection。

Article 54 The competent department of environmental protection under The State Council shall uniformly publish national environmental quality, monitoring information on key pollution sources and other major environmental information。The competent departments of environmental protection under the people's governments at or above the provincial level regularly issue environmental status bulletins。

The competent departments of environmental protection of the people's governments at or above the county level and other departments responsible for environmental supervision and administration shall, in accordance with the law, disclose information such as environmental quality, environmental monitoring, environmental emergencies, environmental administrative licenses, administrative penalties, and the collection and use of pollution discharge fees。

The competent environmental protection departments of the local people's governments at or above the county level and other departments responsible for environmental protection supervision and management shall record the environmental illegal information of enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators into the social integrity archives, and promptly publish the list of offenders to the public。

Article 55 Key pollutants-discharging units shall truthfully disclose to the public the names of their major pollutants, the methods of discharge, the concentration and total amount of discharge, and the situation of excessive discharge, as well as the construction and operation of pollution prevention and control facilities, and accept social supervision。

Article 56 For a construction project that is required to prepare an environmental impact statement according to law, the construction unit shall, at the time of preparation, explain the situation to the potentially affected public and fully solicit opinions。

The department responsible for examining and approving the environmental impact assessment documents of construction projects shall, after receiving the environmental impact report of construction projects, publish the full text except for matters involving state secrets and commercial secrets;If it is found that the construction project has not fully solicited public opinions, the construction unit shall be instructed to solicit public opinions。

Article 57 Citizens, legal persons and other organizations who discover that any unit or individual has committed acts of environmental pollution or ecological destruction shall have the right to report such acts to the competent department for environmental protection or other departments responsible for environmental supervision and administration。

Citizens, legal persons and other organizations that find that the local people's governments at various levels, the competent environmental protection departments of the people's governments at or above the county level and other departments responsible for environmental protection supervision and administration fail to perform their duties according to law shall have the right to report to their higher authorities or supervisory organs。

The organ receiving the report shall keep confidential the relevant information of the informant and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the informant。

Article 58 For acts that pollute the environment, destroy the ecology or harm the social public interests, social organizations that meet the following conditions may bring a lawsuit in a people's court:

(1) registering with the civil affairs department of the people's government at or above the city level divided into districts according to law;

(2) specializing in environmental protection public welfare activities for more than five consecutive years and have no illegal records。

If a social organization meeting the provisions of the preceding paragraph brings a lawsuit to a people's court, the people's court shall accept it according to law。

Social organizations that initiate litigation shall not seek economic benefits through litigation。

Chapter VI Legal liability

Article 59 Where enterprises, public institutions or other producers and business operators discharge pollutants in violation of the law and are fined and ordered to make corrections, but refuse to make corrections, the administrative organ that has made the decision on punishment according to law may, starting from the next day after the date of ordering the correction, impose a continuous penalty in accordance with the original amount of punishment。

The fines and penalties provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be enforced in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and determined by factors such as the operating costs of pollution prevention and control facilities, direct losses caused by illegal acts or illegal gains。

Local regulations may, according to the actual needs of environmental protection, increase the types of illegal acts that are punished on a continuous daily basis as provided for in the first paragraph。

Article 60 Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators discharge pollutants in excess of the discharge standards for pollutants or in excess of the total emission control targets for key pollutants，The competent environmental protection department of the people's government at or above the county level may order it to take measures such as restricting production or stopping production for rectification;serious，The report shall be submitted for approval by the people's government with the power of approval，Order to suspend business or close down。

Article 61 Where a construction unit starts construction without submitting the environmental impact assessment documents of a construction project in accordance with law or without approval of the environmental impact assessment documents, the department responsible for environmental protection supervision and administration shall order it to stop construction, impose a fine, and may also order it to restore to the original state。

Article 62 If, in violation of the provisions of this Law, a major pollutant discharge unit fails to disclose or does not disclose the environmental information truthfully, the competent department of environmental protection of the local people's government at or above the county level shall order the disclosure, impose a fine, and make a public announcement。

Article 63 Enterprises, public institutions and other producers and business operators commit any of the following acts，Not yet constituted a crime，Except to be punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations，The competent environmental protection department of the people's government at or above the county level or other relevant departments shall transfer the case to the public security organ，Persons in charge and other persons directly responsible for them，Shall be detained for not less than 10 days but not more than 15 days;Lesser circumstances，To be detained for not less than five days but not more than 10 days:

(1) where a construction project fails to carry out an environmental impact assessment according to law and is ordered to stop construction or refuses to carry out the implementation;

(2) discharges pollutants without obtaining a discharge permit in violation of the law, is ordered to stop discharging pollutants, and refuses to comply;

(3) Illegally discharging pollutants through hidden pipes, seepage Wells, pits, perfusion, tampering or falsifying monitoring data, or abnormal operation of pollution prevention and control facilities to evade supervision and control;

(4) producing or using a pesticide whose production or use is expressly prohibited by the State, and being ordered to make corrections, but refusing to do so。

Article 64 Anyone who causes damage due to environmental pollution or ecological destruction shall bear tort liability in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Tort Liability Law of the People's Republic of China。

Article 65 Environmental impact assessment institutions, environmental monitoring institutions and institutions engaged in the maintenance and operation of environmental monitoring equipment and pollution prevention and control facilities，Committing fraud in relation to environmental services，Responsible for causing environmental pollution and ecological damage，Except to be punished in accordance with relevant laws and regulations，They shall also be jointly and severally liable with other persons responsible for environmental pollution and ecological damage。

Article 66 The limitation period for bringing an action for compensation for environmental damage shall be three years, counted from the time when the parties knew or should have known that they had suffered the damage。

Article 67 The people's governments at higher levels and their competent environmental protection departments shall strengthen supervision over the environmental protection work of the people's governments at lower levels and their relevant departments。If a relevant staff member is found to have committed an illegal act and should be given sanctions according to law, a proposal for sanctions shall be made to the organ appointing or removing him or her or to the supervisory organ。

Where an administrative penalty should be imposed according to law, but the competent department of environmental protection does not impose an administrative penalty, the competent department of environmental protection of the people's government at a higher level may directly make a decision on administrative penalties。

Article 68 The local people's governments at various levels, the competent environmental protection departments of the people's governments at or above the county level, or other departments responsible for environmental protection supervision and management have any of the following acts，The persons directly in charge and other persons directly responsible shall be given demerit notes, major demerit notes or demoted;Causing serious consequences，Be given the sanction of dismissal or dismissal，Its chief executive should take the blame and resign:

(1) the granting of administrative license does not meet the conditions of administrative license;

(2) Covering up environmental violations;

(3) where a decision to order business suspension or closure should be made according to law but is not made;

(4) failing to promptly investigate and deal with behaviors such as excessive discharge of pollutants, discharge of pollutants by means of evading supervision, causing environmental accidents, and failure to implement ecological protection measures resulting in ecological damage upon discovery or receipt of reports;

(5) In violation of the provisions of this Law, sealing up or detaining the facilities and equipment of enterprises, institutions and other producers and business operators;

(6) tampering with or forgery or instigating tampering with or forgery of monitoring data;

(7) failing to disclose environmental information that should be disclosed in accordance with the law;

(8) withholding, diverting or misappropriating the collected sewage discharge fees for other purposes;

(9) Other illegal acts as prescribed by laws and regulations。

Article 69 Whoever violates the provisions of this Law and constitutes a crime shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law。

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 70 This Law shall come into force as of January 1, 2015。