Annual Review of Chinese Environmental Law Developments: 2014

摘要

The EPL's revision will inevitably trigger the revision of other environmental laws. In coming years, China will revise its laws on air pollutants, EIAs, and other issues. China will also make new laws on soil pollution, administrative permits for pollutant discharges, and environmental monitoring, among other issues. Many environmental standards will also be set or upgraded; for example, those related to heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, hazardous wastes, and persistent organic pollutants. China will make more industrial policies at the national and local levels that will probably force industries to upgrade. The revised EPL may also trigger more judicial work related to environmental law. Regular civil actions seeking civil remedies might increase in number; environmental public interest litigation might also increase. On the other hand, the sanctioned polluters may also bring more suits against environmental protection authorities to challenge administrative penalties and other administrative acts. Accordingly, there is likely to be much development not only in the legislative and executive branches (especially the MEP), but also in the judicial branch.