Environmental Protection Law: big changes in 2014

On 24 April 2014 the PRC Government approved changes to the Environment Protection Law in the People's Republic of China, for the first time in 25 years ("Revised Law"). The Revised Law will come into force on January 1, 2015 and apply to almost every article of the current law. The Revised Law imposes stricter obligations on enterprises regarding pollution prevention and control, and provides for more severe penalties. With regard to public policy, the Revised Law specifies that the Government shall support the development of the environment industry and shall encourage enterprises to take environmental protection measures. Furthermore, the Revised Law allows for environment public-interest litigation. Details are as follows: