中華人民共和國環境保護法(附英文)
中華人民共和國主席令(七屆第22號)
《中華人民共和國環境保護法》已由中華人民共和國第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十一次會議于1989年12月26日通過,現予公布,自公布之日起施行。
中華人民共和國主席 楊尚昆
1989年12月26日
中華人民共和國環境保護法(附英文)
(1989年12月26日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十一次會議通過 1989年12月26日中華人民共和國主席令第二十二號公布 自公布之日起施行。
《中華人民共和國環境保護法》已由中華人民共和國第屆七全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十一次會議于 1989年12月26日通過,自公布之日施行。
中華人民共和國主席 楊尚昆
1989年12月26日
目 錄
第一章 總 則
第二章 環境監督管理
第三章 保護和改善環境
第四章 防治環境污染和其他公害
第五章 法律責任
第六章 附 則
第一章 總 則
第一條 為保護和改善生活環境與生態環境,防治污染和其他公害,保障人體健康,促進社會主義現代化建設的發展,制定本法。
第二條 本法所稱環境,是指影響人類生存和發展的各種天然的和經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、風景名勝區、城市和鄉村等。
第三條 本法適用于中華人民共和國領域和中華人民共和國管轄的其他海域。
第四條 國家制定的環境保護規劃必須納入國民經濟和社會發展計劃,國家采取有利于環境保護的經濟、技術政策和措施,使環境保護工作同經濟建設和社會發展相協調。
第五條 國家鼓勵環境保護科學教育事業的發展,加強環境保護科學技術的研究和開發,提高環境保護科學技術水平,普及環境保護的科學知識。
第六條 一切單位和個人都有保護環境的義務,并有權對污染和破壞環境的單位和個人進行檢舉和控告。
第七條 國務院環境保護行政主管部門,對全國環境保護工作實施統一監督管理。
縣級以上地方人民政府環境保護行政主管部門,對本轄區的環境保護工作實施統一監督管理。
國家海洋行政主管部門、港務監督、漁政漁港監督、軍隊環境保護部門和各級公安、交通、鐵道、民航管理部門,依照有關法律的規定對環境污染防治實施監督管理。
縣級以上人民政府的土地、礦產、林業、農業、水利行政主管部門,依照有關法律的規定對資源的保護實施監督管理。
第八條 對保護環境有顯著成績的單位和個人,由人民政府給予獎勵。
第二章 環境監督管理
第九條 國務院環境保護行政主管部門制定國家環境質量標準。
省、自治區、直轄市人民政府對國家環境質量標準中未作規定的項目,可以制定地方環境質量標準,并報國務院環境保護行政主管部門備案。
第十條 國務院環境保護行政主管部門根據國家環境質量標準和國家經濟、技術條件,制定國家污染物排放標準。
省、自治區、直轄市人民政府對國家污染物排放標準中未作規定的項目,可以制定地方污染物排放標準;對國家污染物排放標準中已作規定的項目,可以制定嚴于國家污染物排放標準的地方污染物排放標準。地方污染物排放標準須報國務院環境保護行政主管部門備案。
凡是向已有地方污染物排放標準的區域排放污染物的,應當執行地方污染物排放標準。
第十一條 國務院環境保護行政主管部門建立監測制度,制定監測規范,會同有關部門組織監測網絡,加強對環境監測和管理。國務院和省、自治區、直轄市人民政府的環境保護行政主管部門,應當定期發布環境狀況公報。
第十二條 縣級以上人民政府環境保護行政主管部門,應當會同有關部門對管轄范圍內的環境狀況進行調查和評價,擬訂環境保護規劃,經計劃部門綜合平衡后,報同級人民政府批準實施。
第十三條 建設污染環境的項目,必須遵守國家有關建設項目環境保護管理的規定。
建設項目的環境影響報告書,必須對建設項目產生的污染和對環境的影響作出評價,規定防治措施,經項目主管部門預審并依照規定的程序報環境保護行政主管部門批準。環境影響報告書經批準后,計劃部門方可批準建設項目設計任務書。
第十四條 縣級以上人民政府環境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規定行使環境監督管理權的部門,有權對管轄范圍內的排污單位進行現場檢查。被檢查的單位應當如實反映情況,提供必要的資料。檢查機關應當為被檢查的單位保守技術秘密和業務秘密。
第十五條 跨行政區的環境污染和環境破壞的防治工作,由有關地方人民政府協商解決,或者由上級人民政府協調解決,做出決定。
第三章 保護和改善環境
第十六條 地方各級人民政府,應當對本轄區的環境質量負責,采取措施改善環境質量。
第十七條 各級人民政府對具有代表性的各種類型的自然生態系統區域,珍稀、瀕危的野生動植物自然分布區域,重要的水源涵養區域,具有重大科學文化價值的地質構造、著名溶洞和化石分布區、冰川、火山、溫泉等自然遺跡,以及人文遺跡、古樹名木,應當采取措施加以保護,嚴禁破壞。
第十八條 在國務院、國務院有關主管部門和省、自治區、直轄市人民政府劃定的風景名勝區、自然保護區和其他需要特別保護的區域內,不得建設污染環境的工業生產設施;建設其他設施,其污染物排放不得超過規定的排放標準。已經建成的設施,其污染物排放超過規定的排放標準的,限期治理。
第十九條 開發利用自然資源,必須采取措施保護生態環境。
第二十條 各級人民政府應當加強對農業環境的保護,防治土壤污染、土地沙化、鹽漬化、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失調現象的發生和發展,推廣植物病蟲害的綜合防治,合理使用化肥、農藥及植物生長激素。
第二十一條 國務院和治海地方各級人民政府應當加強對海洋環境的保護。向海洋排放污染物、傾到廢棄物,進行海岸工程建設和海洋石油勘探開發,必須依照法律的規定,防止對海洋環境的污染損害。
第二十二條 制定城市規劃,應當確定保護和改善環境的目標和任務。
第二十三條 城鄉建設應當結合當地自然環境的特點,保護植被、水域和自然景觀,加強城市園林、綠地和風景名勝區的建設。
第四章 防治環境污染和其他公害
第二十四條 產生環境污染和其他公害的單位,必須把環境保護工作納入計劃,建立環境保護責任制度;采取有效措施,防治在生產建設或者其他活動中產生的廢氣、廢水、廢渣、粉塵、惡臭氣體、放射性物質以及噪聲、振動、電磁波輻射等對環境的污染和危害。
第二十五條 新建工業企業和現有工業企業的技術改造,應當采用資源利用率高、污染物排放量少的設備和工藝,采用經濟合理的廢棄物綜合利用技術和污染物處理技術。
第二十六條 建設項目中防治污染的設旋,必須與主體工程同時設計、同時施工、同時投產使用。防治污染的設施必須經原審批環境影響報告書的環境保護行政主管部門驗收合格后,該建設項目方可投入生產或者使用。
防治污染的設施不得擅自拆除或者閑置,確有必要拆除或者閑置的,必須征得所在地的環境保護行政主管部門同意。
第二十七條 排放污染物的企業事業單位,必須依照國務院環境保護行政主管部門的規定申報登記。
第二十八條 排放污染物超過國家或者地方規定的污染物排放標準的企業事業單位,依照國家規定繳納超標準排污費,并負責治理。水污染防治法另有規定的,依照水污染防治法的規定執行。
征收的超標準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院規定。
第二十九條 對造成環境嚴重污染的企業事業單位,限期治理。
中央或者省、自治區、直轄市人民政府直接管轄的企業事業單位的限期治理,由省、自治區、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事業單位的限期治理,由市、縣人民政府決定。被限期治理的企業事業單位必須如期完成治理任務。
第三十條 禁止引進不符合我國環境保護規定要求的技術和設備。
第三十一條 因發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,并向當地環境保護行政主管部門和有關部門報告,接受調查處理。
可能發生重大污染事故的企業事業單位,應當采取措施,加強防范。
第三十二條 縣級以上地方人民政府環境保護行政主管部門,在環境受到嚴重污染威脅居民生命財產安全時,必須立即向當地人民政府報告,由人民政府采取有效措施,解除或者減輕危害。
第三十三條 生產、儲存、運輸、銷售、使用有毒化學物品和含有放射性物質的物品,必須遵守國家有關規定,防止污染環境。
第三十四條 任何單位不得將產生嚴重污染的生產設備轉移給沒有污染防治能力的單位使用。
第五章 法律責任
第三十五條 違反本法規定,有下列行為之一的,環境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規定行使環境監督管理權的部門可以根據不同情節,給予警告或者處以罰款:
(一)拒絕環境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規定行使環境監督管理權的部門現場檢查或者在被檢查時弄虛作假的。
(二)拒報或者謊報國務院環境保護行政主管部門規定的有關污染物排放申報事項的。
(三)不按國家規定繳納超標準排污費的。
(四)引進不符合我國環境保護規定要求的技術和設備的。
(五)將產生嚴重污染的生產設備轉移給沒有污染防治能力的單位使用的。
第三十六條 建設項目的防治污染設施沒有建成或者沒有達到國家規定的要求,投入生產或者使用的,由批準該建設項目的環境影響報告書的環境保護行政主管部門責令停止生產或者使用,可以并處罰款。
第三十七條 未經環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施,污染物排放超過規定的排放標準的,由環境保護行政主管部門責令重新安裝使用,并處罰款。
第三十八條 對違反本法規定,造成環境污染事故的企業事業單位,由環境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照法律規定行使環境監督管理權的部門根據所造成的危害后果處以罰款;情節較重的,對有關責任人員由其所在單位或者政府主管機關給予行政處分。
第三十九條 對經限期治理逾期未完成治理任務的企業事業單位,除依照國家規定加收超標準排污費外,可以根據所造成的危害后果處以罰款,或者責令停業、關閉。
前款規定的罰款由環境保護行政主管部門決定。責令停業、關閉,由作出限期治理決定的人民政府決定;責令中央直接管轄的企業事業單位停業、關閉,須報國務院批準。
第四十條 當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是內,向作出處罰決定的機關的上一級機關申請復議;對復議決定不服的,可以在接到復議決定之日起十五日內,向人民法院起訴。當事人也可以在接到處罰通知之日起十五日內,直接向人民法院起訴。當事人
逾期不申請復議、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申請人民法院強制執行。
第四十一條 造成環境污染危害的,有責任排除危害,并對直接受到損害的單位或者個人賠償損失。
賠償責任和賠償金額的糾紛,可以根據當事人的請求,由環境保護行政主管部門或者其他依照本法律規定行使環境監督管理權的部門處理;當事人對處理決定不服的,可以向人民法院起訴。當事人也可以直接向人民法院起訴。
完全由于不可護拒的自然災害,并經及時采取合理措施,仍然不能避免造成環境污染損害的,免予承擔責任。
第四十二條 因環境污染損害賠償提起訴訟的時效期間為三年,從當事人知道或者應當知道受到污染損害時起計算。
第四十三條 違反本法規定,造成重大環境污染事故,導致公私財產重大損失或者人身傷亡的嚴重后果的,對直接責任人員依法追究刑事責任。
第四十四條 違反本法規定,造成土地、森林、草原、水、礦產、漁業、野生動植物等資源的破壞的,依照有關法律的規定承擔法律責任。
第四十五條 環境保護監督管理人員濫用職權、玩忽職守、徇私舞弊的,由其所在單位或者上級主管機關給予行政處分;構成犯罪的,依法追究刑事責任。
第六章 附 則
第四十六條 中華人民共和國締結或者參加的與環境保護有關的國際條約,同中華人民共和國法律有不同規定的,適用國際條約的規定,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《中華人民共和國環境保護法(試行)》同時廢止。
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匯編》(1991年7月版).
當發生歧意時, 應以法律法規頒布單位發布的中文原文為準.
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.