Governance & Policy
China Environmental Protection Law
China's framework environmental law, strengthened in 2014 with daily fines, detention powers, public interest litigation and transparency duties.
Definition
China's Environmental Protection Law, originally enacted in 1979 and comprehensively revised with effect from 2015, is the country's foundational environmental statute. It establishes environmental protection as a basic state policy, authorises cumulative daily fines and detention of responsible managers for violations, enables environmental public interest litigation by qualified organisations, and requires disclosure of pollution information.
Quick reference
At a glance
- Subject
- Governance & Policy
- Editorial status
- Editorial draft
- Definition status
- Established
- Last updated
- 19 August 2026
- Also known as
- EPL · China EPL · 2015 Environmental Protection Law
Overview
What it means
The 2015 revision gave Chinese environmental enforcement real teeth, underpinning the country's pollution crackdowns and inspection campaigns.
How it is used
Local bureaux levy daily fines; courts hear NGO public interest suits; companies manage disclosure and permit obligations under its framework.
Why it matters
As the foundation law of the world's largest manufacturing economy, its enforcement shapes global supply-chain environmental performance.
Review
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