Marine Law aimed at controlling pollution in China

China

The modified Marine Environmental Protection Law took effect on April 1, with the aim to better control marine pollution. The law is expected to meet the soaring demand of a sophisticated legal system for marine pollution control as the amount of pollutant discharged into oceans has been increasing and the marine environment has been deteriorating. The PRC is facing an increasing number of marine environment-related problems, such as oil spills, impacting adversely on residents' health and the sustainable development of the PRC's vast coastal regions. The law's previous version, which has been in effect since 1983, is currently unable to adapt to the new problems brought by the PRC's exploitation of marine resources. The modified law stipulates that a marine environment monitoring system should be established across the country. In addition, legal responsibilities for marine polluters are much more detailed.

For further information please contact Luke Filei on [email protected] or +86 10 6590 0389 in Beijing or +86 21 6289 6363 in Shanghai.