China considers harsher legislation against polluters

The draft amendment to the environmental protection law, tabled for the second reading Wednesday, has adopted harsher punishment on polluters and highlighted the public's right to know and participate.

The bill was submitted to the bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which runs from Wednesday to Saturday.

The bill adopts harsher punishment on polluters, compared with the version that was tabled for the first reading in August.

According to the bill, companies and other organizations, which intentionally escape supervision and discharge pollutants, will be prosecuted if they violate the law. Those, whose activities are not serious enough for criminal prosecution, will be punished according to the law on penalties for administration of public security, for instance being put under administrative detention.

A new chapter is added to protect the public's right to know concerning environmental information. According to the bill, governments of all levels should publicize environmental information and facilitate the participation of and supervision by citizens and institutions in environmental protection.

Polluters are required to publish the information about the pollutants they discharge and how they act to control the pollution.

The bill also introduces public interest litigation by authorizing the All-China Environment Federation and its provincial branches to initiate lawsuits against polluters on behalf of the public.