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（１９８９年１２月２６日第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十一次会议通过 １９８９年１２月２６日中华人民共和国主席令第二十二号公布 自公布之日起施行。 《中华人民共和国环境保护法》已由中华人民共和国第届七全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十一次会议于 １９８９年１２月２６日通过，自公布之日施行。
第一章 总 则 第二章 环境监督管理 第三章 保护和改善环境 第四章 防治环境污染和其他公害 第五章 法律责任 第六章 附 则
第一条 为保护和改善生活环境与生态环境，防治污染和其他公害，保障人体健康，促进社会主义现代化建设的发展，制定本法。
第二条 本法所称环境，是指影响人类生存和发展的各种天然的和经过人工改造的自然因素的总体，包括大气、水、海洋、土地、矿藏、森林、草原、野生生物、自然遗迹、人文遗迹、自然保护区、风景名胜区、城市和乡村等。
第三条 本法适用于中华人民共和国领域和中华人民共和国管辖的其他海域。
第四条 国家制定的环境保护规划必须纳入国民经济和社会发展计划，国家采取有利于环境保护的经济、技术政策和措施，使环境保护工作同经济建设和社会发展相协调。
第五条 国家鼓励环境保护科学教育事业的发展，加强环境保护科学技术的研究和开发，提高环境保护科学技术水平，普及环境保护的科学知识。
第六条 一切单位和个人都有保护环境的义务，并有权对污染和破坏环境的单位和个人进行检举和控告。
第七条 国务院环境保护行政主管部门，对全国环境保护工作实施统一监督管理。
县级以上地方人民政府环境保护行政主管部门，对本辖区的环境保护工作实施统一监督管理。
国家海洋行政主管部门、港务监督、渔政渔港监督、军队环境保护部门和各级公安、交通、铁道、民航管理部门，依照有关法律的规定对环境污染防治实施监督管理。
县级以上人民政府的土地、矿产、林业、农业、水利行政主管部门，依照有关法律的规定对资源的保护实施监督管理。
第八条 对保护环境有显著成绩的单位和个人，由人民政府给予奖励。
省、自治区、直辖市人民政府对国家环境质量标准中未作规定的项目，可以制定地方环境质量标准，并报国务院环境保护行政主管部门备案。
第十条 国务院环境保护行政主管部门根据国家环境质量标准和国家经济、技术条件，制定国家污染物排放标准。
省、自治区、直辖市人民政府对国家污染物排放标准中未作规定的项目，可以制定地方污染物排放标准；对国家污染物排放标准中已作规定的项目，可以制定严于国家污染物排放标准的地方污染物排放标准。地方污染物排放标准须报国务院环境保护行政主管部门备案。
凡是向已有地方污染物排放标准的区域排放污染物的，应当执行地方污染物排放标准。
第十一条 国务院环境保护行政主管部门建立监测制度，制定监测规范，会同有关部门组织监测网络，加强对环境监测和管理。国务院和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府的环境保护行政主管部门，应当定期发布环境状况公报。
第十二条 县级以上人民政府环境保护行政主管部门，应当会同有关部门对管辖范围内的环境状况进行调查和评价，拟订环境保护规划，经计划部门综合平衡后，报同级人民政府批准实施。
第十三条 建设污染环境的项目，必须遵守国家有关建设项目环境保护管理的规定。
建设项目的环境影响报告书，必须对建设项目产生的污染和对环境的影响作出评价，规定防治措施，经项目主管部门预审并依照规定的程序报环境保护行政主管部门批准。环境影响报告书经批准后，计划部门方可批准建设项目设计任务书。
第十四条县级以上人民政府环境保护行政主管部门或者其他依照法律规定行使环境监督管理权的部门，有权对管辖范围内的排污单位进行现场检查。被检查的单位应当如实反映情况，提供必要的资料。检查机关应当为被检查的单位保守技术秘密和业务秘密。
第十五条 跨行政区的环境污染和环境破坏的防治工作，由有关地方人民政府协商解决，或者由上级人民政府协调解决，做出决定。
第十六条 地方各级人民政府，应当对本辖区的环境质量负责，采取措施改善环境质量。
第十七条各级人民政府对具有代表性的各种类型的自然生态系统区域，珍稀、濒危的野生动植物自然分布区域，重要的水源涵养区域，具有重大科学文化价值的地质构造、著名溶洞和化石分布区、冰川、火山、温泉等自然遗迹，以及人文遗迹、古树名木，应当采取措施加以保护，严禁破坏。
第十八条在国务院、国务院有关主管部门和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府划定的风景名胜区、自然保护区和其他需要特别保护的区域内，不得建设污染环境的工业生产设施；建设其他设施，其污染物排放不得超过规定的排放标准。已经建成的设施，其污染物排放超过规定的排放标准的，限期治理。
第二十条各级人民政府应当加强对农业环境的保护，防治土壤污染、土地沙化、盐渍化、贫瘠化、沼泽化、地面沉降和防治植被破坏、水土流失、水源枯竭、种源灭绝以及其他生态失调现象的发生和发展，推广植物病虫害的综合防治，合理使用化肥、农药及植物生长激素。
第二十一条 国务院和治海地方各级人民政府应当加强对海洋环境的保护。向海洋排放污染物、倾到废弃物，进行海岸工程建设和海洋石油勘探开发，必须依照法律的规定，防止对海洋环境的污染损害。
第二十二条 制定城市规划，应当确定保护和改善环境的目标和任务。
第二十三条 城乡建设应当结合当地自然环境的特点，保护植被、水域和自然景观，加强城市园林、绿地和风景名胜区的建设。
第二十四条产生环境污染和其他公害的单位，必须把环境保护工作纳入计划，建立环境保护责任制度；采取有效措施，防治在生产建设或者其他活动中产生的废气、废水、废渣、粉尘、恶臭气体、放射性物质以及噪声、振动、电磁波辐射等对环境的污染和危害。
第二十五条 新建工业企业和现有工业企业的技术改造，应当采用资源利用率高、污染物排放量少的设备和工艺，采用经济合理的废弃物综合利用技术和污染物处理技术。
第二十六条 建设项目中防治污染的设旋，必须与主体工程同时设计、同时施工、同时投产使用。防治污染的设施必须经原审批环境影响报告书的环境保护行政主管部门验收合格后，该建设项目方可投入生产或者使用。
防治污染的设施不得擅自拆除或者闲置，确有必要拆除或者闲置的，必须征得所在地的环境保护行政主管部门同意。
第二十七条 排放污染物的企业事业单位，必须依照国务院环境保护行政主管部门的规定申报登记。
第二十八条 排放污染物超过国家或者地方规定的污染物排放标准的企业事业单位，依照国家规定缴纳超标准排污费，并负责治理。水污染防治法另有规定的，依照水污染防治法的规定执行。
征收的超标准排污费必须用于污染的防治，不得挪作他用，具体使用办法由国务院规定。
中央或者省、自治区、直辖市人民政府直接管辖的企业事业单位的限期治理，由省、自治区、直辖市人民政府决定。市、县或者市、县以下人民政府管辖的企业事业单位的限期治理，由市、县人民政府决定。被限期治理的企业事业单位必须如期完成治理任务。
第三十一条 因发生事故或者其他突然性事件，造成或者可能造成污染事故的单位，必须立即采取措施处理，及时通报可能受到污染危害的单位和居民，并向当地环境保护行政主管部门和有关部门报告，接受调查处理。
可能发生重大污染事故的企业事业单位，应当采取措施，加强防范。
第三十二条 县级以上地方人民政府环境保护行政主管部门，在环境受到严重污染威胁居民生命财产安全时，必须立即向当地人民政府报告，由人民政府采取有效措施，解除或者减轻危害。
第三十三条 生产、储存、运输、销售、使用有毒化学物品和含有放射性物质的物品，必须遵守国家有关规定，防止污染环境。
第三十四条 任何单位不得将产生严重污染的生产设备转移给没有污染防治能力的单位使用。
第三十五条 违反本法规定，有下列行为之一的，环境保护行政主管部门或者其他依照法律规定行使环境监督管理权的部门可以根据不同情节，给予警告或者处以罚款：
（一）拒绝环境保护行政主管部门或者其他依照法律规定行使环境监督管理权的部门现场检查或者在被检查时弄虚作假的。
（二）拒报或者谎报国务院环境保护行政主管部门规定的有关污染物排放申报事项的。
（五）将产生严重污染的生产设备转移给没有污染防治能力的单位使用的。
第三十六条 建设项目的防治污染设施没有建成或者没有达到国家规定的要求，投入生产或者使用的，由批准该建设项目的环境影响报告书的环境保护行政主管部门责令停止生产或者使用，可以并处罚款。
第三十七条 未经环境保护行政主管部门同意，擅自拆除或者闲置防治污染的设施，污染物排放超过规定的排放标准的，由环境保护行政主管部门责令重新安装使用，并处罚款。
第三十八条对违反本法规定，造成环境污染事故的企业事业单位，由环境保护行政主管部门或者其他依照法律规定行使环境监督管理权的部门根据所造成的危害后果处以罚款；情节较重的，对有关责任人员由其所在单位或者政府主管机关给予行政处分。
第三十九条 对经限期治理逾期未完成治理任务的企业事业单位，除依照国家规定加收超标准排污费外，可以根据所造成的危害后果处以罚款，或者责令停业、关闭。
前款规定的罚款由环境保护行政主管部门决定。责令停业、关闭，由作出限期治理决定的人民政府决定；责令中央直接管辖的企业事业单位停业、关闭，须报国务院批准。
第四十条当事人对行政处罚决定不服的，可以在接到处罚通知之日起十五是内，向作出处罚决定的机关的上一级机关申请复议；对复议决定不服的，可以在接到复议决定之日起十五日内，向人民法院起诉。当事人也可以在接到处罚通知之日起十五日内，直接向人民法院起诉。当事人逾期不申请复议、也不向人民法院起诉、又不履行处罚决定的，由作出处罚决定的机关申请人民法院强制执行。
第四十一条 造成环境污染危害的，有责任排除危害，并对直接受到损害的单位或者个人赔偿损失。
赔偿责任和赔偿金额的纠纷，可以根据当事人的请求，由环境保护行政主管部门或者其他依照本法律规定行使环境监督管理权的部门处理；当事人对处理决定不服的，可以向人民法院起诉。当事人也可以直接向人民法院起诉。
完全由于不可护拒的自然灾害，并经及时采取合理措施，仍然不能避免造成环境污染损害的，免予承担责任。
第四十二条 因环境污染损害赔偿提起诉讼的时效期间为三年，从当事人知道或者应当知道受到污染损害时起计算。
第四十三条 违反本法规定，造成重大环境污染事故，导致公私财产重大损失或者人身伤亡的严重后果的，对直接责任人员依法追究刑事责任。
第四十四条 违反本法规定，造成土地、森林、草原、水、矿产、渔业、野生动植物等资源的破坏的，依照有关法律的规定承担法律责任。
第四十五条 环境保护监督管理人员滥用职权、玩忽职守、徇私舞弊的，由其所在单位或者上级主管机关给予行政处分；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
第四十六条 中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的与环境保护有关的国际条约，同中华人民共和国法律有不同规定的，适用国际条约的规定，但中华人民共和国声明保留的条款除外。
第四十七条 本法自公布之日起施行《中华人民共和国环境保护法（试行）》同时废止。
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONLAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
英文本源自中华人民共和国务院法制局编译, 中国法制出版社出版的《中华人民共和国涉外法规汇编》(1991年7月版). 当发生歧意时, 应以法律法规颁布单位发布的中文原文为准.This English document is coming fromthe "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THEPEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of theStateCouncil of the People's Republicof China, and is published by the ChinaLegal System Publishing House.In case of discrepancy, the original versionin Chinese shall prevail.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LAWOF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA(Adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Standing Committee of theSeventh National People's Congress onDecember 26, 1989, promulgated byOrder No. 22 of the President of the People's Republic of China onDecember 26, 1989, and effective on the dateof promulgation)
Chapter I General ProvisionsChapter II Supervision andManagement of the EnvironmentChapter III Protection andImprovement of the EnvironmentChapter IV Prevention andControl of Environmental Pollution and Other Public HazardsChapter V LegalLiabilityChapter VI SupplementaryProvisions
Article 1This Law is formulated for the purpose of protecting and improvingpeople's environment and the ecological environment, preventing andcontrolling pollution and other publichazards, safeguarding human healthand facilitating the development ofsocialist modernization.Article 2"Environment" as used in this Law refers tothe total body of all naturalelements and artificially transformed natural elements affecting humanexistence and development, which includes the atmosphere, water, seas,land, minerals, forests, grasslands,wildlife, natural and human remains,nature reserves, historic sites and scenic spots, and urban and ruralareas.Article 3This Law shall apply to the territory of thePeople's Republic of Chinaand other sea areas under the jurisdictionof the People's Republic ofChina.Article 4The plans for environmental protectionformulated by the state must beincorporated into the national economic andsocial development plans; thestate shall adopt economic and technological policies and measuresfavourable for environmental protection soas to coordinate the work ofenvironmental protection with economic construction and socialdevelopment.Article 5The state shall encourage the development ofeducation in the science ofenvironmental protection, strengthen the study and development of thescience and technology of environmentalprotection, raise the scientificand technological level of environmental protection and popularizescientific knowledge of environmentalprotection.Article 6All units and individuals shall have the obligation to protect theenvironment and shall have the right toreport on or file charges againstunits or individuals that cause pollution ordamage to the environment.Article 7The competent department of environmentalprotection administration underthe State Council shall conduct unifiedsupervision and management of theenvironmental protection work throughout thecountry.The competent departments of environmental protection administration ofthe local people's governments at or abovethe county level shall conductunified supervision and management of the environmental protection workwithin areas under their jurisdiction. The state administrativedepartment of marine affairs, the harboursuperintendency administration,the fisheries administration and fishingharbour superintendency agencies,the environmental protection department of the armed forces and theadministrative departments of public security, transportation, railwaysand civil aviation at various levels shall, in accordance with theprovisions of relevant laws, conductsupervision and management of theprevention and control of environmental pollution. The competentadministrative departments of land,minerals, forestry, agriculture andwater conservancy of the people'sgovernments at or above the county levelshall, in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws, conductsupervision and management of the protectionof natural resources.Article 8The people's government shall give awards tounits and individuals thathave made outstanding achievements in protecting and improving theenvironment.
ChapterII Supervision and Management of the Environment
Article 9The competent department of environmentalprotection administration underthe State Council shall establish thenational standards for environmentquality. The people's governments ofprovinces, autonomous regions andmunicipalities directly under the CentralGovernment may establish theirlocal standards for environment quality foritems not specified in thenational standards for environment qualityand shall report them to thecompetent department of environmentalprotection administration under theState Council for the record.Article 10The competent department of environmentalprotection administration underthe State Council shall, in accordance with the national standards forenvironment quality and the country's economic and technologicalconditions, establish the national standards for the discharge ofpollutants.The people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions andmunicipalities directly under the CentralGovernment may establish theirlocal standards for the discharge ofpollutants for items not specified inthe national standards; with regard to items already specified in thenational standards, they may set localstandards which are more stringentthan the national standards and report the same to the competentdepartment of environmental protection administration under the StateCouncil for the record. Units thatdischarge pollutants in areas wherethe local standards for the discharge ofpollutants have been establishedshall observe such localstandards.Article 11The competent department of environmentalprotection administration underthe State Council shall establish a monitoring system, formulate themonitoring norm and, in conjunction withrelevant departments, organize amonitoring network and strengthen the management of environmentalmonitoring.The competent departments of environmentalprotection administration underthe State Council and governments of provinces, autonomous regions andmunicipalities directly under the CentralGovernment shall regularly issuebulletins on environmentalsituations.Article 12The competent departments of environmental protection administration ofthe people's governments at or above the county level shall, inconjunction with relevant departments, make an investigation and anassessment of the environmental situation within areas under theirjurisdiction, draw up plans for environmental protection which shall,subject to overall balancing by thedepartment of planning, be submittedto the people's government at the same level for approval beforeimplementation.Article 13Units constructing projects that causepollution to the environment mustobserve the state provisions concerningenvironmental protection for suchconstruction projects. The environmental impact statement on aconstruction project must assess thepollution the projects is likely toproduce and its impact on the environmentand stipulate the preventive andcurative measures; the statement shall,after initial examination by theauthorities in charge of the construction project, be submitted byspecified procedure to the competent department of environmentalprotection administration for approval. Thedepartment of planning shallnot ratify the design plan descriptions ofthe construction project untilafter the environmental impact statement onthe construction project isapproved.Article 14The competent departments of environmental protection administration ofthe people's governments at or above thecounty level or other departmentsinvested by law with power to conduct environmental supervision andmanagement shall be empowered to makeon-site inspections of units undertheir jurisdiction that dischargepollutants. The units being inspectedshall truthfully report the situation tothem and provide them with thenecessary information. The inspectingauthorities shall keep confidentialthe technological know-how and businesssecrets of the units inspected.Article 15Work for the prevention and control of the environmental pollution anddamage that involve various administrativeareas shall be conducted by therelevant local people's governments throughnegotiation, or by decision ofthe people's government at a higher levelthrough mediation.
ChapterIII Protection and Improvement of the Environment
Article 16The local people's governments at variouslevels shall be responsible forthe environment quality of areas under their jurisdiction and takemeasures to improve the environmentquality.Article 17The people's governments at various levelsshall take measures to protectregions representing various types ofnatural ecological systems, regionswith a natural distribution of rare and endangered wild animals andplants, regions where major sources of water are conserved, geologicalstructures of major scientific and culturalvalue, famous regions wherekarst caves and fossil deposits are distributed, traces of glaciers,volcanos and hot springs, traces of human history, and ancient andprecious trees. Damage to the above shall bestrictly forbidden.Article 18Within the scenic spots or historic sites,nature reserves and other zonesthat need special protection, as designated by the State Council, therelevant competent department under theState Council, and the people'sgovernments of provinces, autonomous regionsand municipalities directlyunder the Central Government, no industrialproduction installations thatcause environmental pollution shall bebuilt; other installations to bebuilt in these areas must not exceed the prescribed standards for thedischarge of pollutants. If the installations that have been builtdischarge more pollutants than are specifiedby the prescribed dischargestandards, such pollution shall be eliminated or controlled within aprescribed period of time.Article 19Measures must be taken to protect theecological environment while naturalresources are being developed orutilized.Article 20The people's governments at various levelsshall provide better protectionfor the agricultural environment by preventing and controlling soilpollution, the desertification and alkalization of land, theimpoverishment of soil, the deterioration of land into marshes, earthsubsidence, the damage of vegetation, soil erosion, the drying up ofsources of water, the extinction of species and the occurrence anddevelopment of other ecological imbalances,by extending the scale of acomprehensive prevention and control ofplant diseases and insect pests,and by promoting a rational application of chemical fertilizers,pesticides and plant growthhormone.Article 21The State Council and the people's governments at various levels incoastal areas shall provide betterprotection for the marine environment.The discharge of pollutants and the dumpingof wastes into the seas, theconstruction of coastal projects, and theexploration and exploitation ofoffshore oil must be conducted in compliancewith legal provisions so asto guard against the pollution and damage ofthe marine environment.Article 22The targets and tasks for protecting andimproving the environment shallbe defined in urban planning.Article 23In urban and rural construction, vegetation, waters and the naturallandscape shall be protected and attentionpaid to the construction ofgardens, green land and historic sites andscenic spots in the cities inthe light of the special features of thelocal natural environment.
ChapterIV Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution and Other PublicHazards
Article 24Units that cause environmental pollution andother public hazards shallincorporate the work of environmental protection into their plans andestablish a responsibility system forenvironmental protection, and mustadopt effective measures to prevent andcontrol the pollution and harmscaused to the environment by waste gas,waste water, waste residues, dust,malodorous gases, radioactive substances, noise, vibration andelectromagnetic radiation generated in the course of production,construction or other activities.Article 25For the technological transformation ofnewly-built industrial enterprisesand existing industrial enterprises,facilities and processes that effecta high rate of the utilization of resources and a low rate of thedischarge of pollutants shall be used, alongwith economical and rationaltechnology for the comprehensive utilizationof waste materials and thetreatment of pollutants.Article 26Installations for the prevention and control of pollution at aconstruction project must be designed, built and commissioned togetherwith the principal part of the project. Nopermission shall be given for aconstruction project to be commissioned orused, until its installationsfor the prevention and control of pollutionare examined and considered upto the standard by the competent department of environmental protectionadministration that examined and approved the environmental impactstatement. Installations for the prevention and control of pollutionshall not be dismantled or left idle without authorization. If it isreally necessary to dismantle suchinstallations or leave them idle, priorapproval shall be obtained from thecompetent department of environmentalprotection administration in thelocality.Article 27Enterprises and institutions dischargingpollutants must report to andregister with the relevant authorities inaccordance with the provisionsof the competent department of environmental protection administrationunder the State Council.Article 28Enterprises and institutions discharging pollutants in excess of theprescribed national or local discharge standards shall pay a fee forexcessive discharge according to state provisions and shall assumeresponsibility for eliminating and controlling the pollution. Theprovisions of the Law on Prevention andControl of Water Pollution shallbe complied with where they areapplicable.The income derived from the fee levied for the excessive discharge ofpollutants must be used for the preventionand control of pollution andshall not be appropriated for other purposes. The specific measuresthereof shall be prescribed by the StateCouncil.Article 29If an enterprise or institution has causedsevere environmental pollution,it shall be required to eliminate and control the pollution within acertain period of time. Forenterprises and institutions directly underthe jurisdiction of the Central Governmentor the people's government of aprovince, an autonomous region, or a municipality directly under theCentral Government, the decision on a deadline for the elimination orcontrol of pollution shall be made by the people's government of theprovince, autonomous region and the municipality directly under theCentral Government. For enterprises and institutions under thejurisdiction of a people's government at or below the city or countylevel, such decision shall be made by thepeople's government of the cityor county. Such enterprises and institutions shall accomplish theelimination or control of pollution withinthe specified period of time.Article 30A ban shall be imposed on the importation ofany technology or facilitythat fails to meet the requirementsspecified in the regulations of ourcountry concerning environmentalprotection.Article 31Any unit that, as a result of an accident or any other exigency, hascaused or threatens to cause an accident ofpollution, must promptly takemeasures to prevent and control thepollution hazards, make the situationknown to such units and inhabitants as arelikely to be endangered by suchhazards, report the case to the competent department of environmentalprotection administration of the localityand the departments concernedand accept their investigation anddecision.Enterprises and institutions that are likely to cause severe pollutionaccidents shall adopt measures for effectiveprevention.Article 32If the safety of the lives and property ofinhabitants is endangered bysevere environmental pollution, thecompetent department of environmentalprotection administration of the localpeople's government at or above thecounty level must promptly report to thelocal people's government. Thepeople's government concernedshalltake effective measures to remove oralleviate the hazard.Article 33The production, storage, transportation,sale and use of toxic chemicalsand materials containing radioactive substances must comply with therelevant state provisions so as to preventenvironmental pollution.Article 34No unit shall be permitted to transfer aproduction facility that causessevere pollution for use by a unit that isunable to prevent and controlpollution.
Article 35Any violator of this Law shall, according to the circumstances of thecase, be warned or fined by the competent department of environmentalprotection administration or anotherdepartment invested by law with powerto conduct environmental supervision and management for any of thefollowing acts:(1) refusing an on-site inspection by the competent department ofenvironmental protection administration oranother department invested bylaw with power to conduct environmental supervision and management, orresorting to trickery and fraud whileundergoing inspection;(2) refusing to report or submitting a falsereport on items for whichdeclaration is required by the competent department of environmentalprotection administration under the StateCouncil;(3) failing to pay, as provided for by the state, the fee for theexcessive discharge ofpollutants;(4) importing technology or a facility thatfails to meet the requirementsspecified in the state provisions concerningenvironmental protection; or(5) transferring a production facility thatcauses severe pollution foruse by a unit that is unable to prevent andcontrol pollution.Article 36When a construction project is commissionedor put to use in circumstanceswhere facilities for the prevention andcontrol of pollution either havenot been completed or fail to meet the requirements specified in stateprovisions, the competent department of environmental protectionadministration responsible for the approvalof the environmental impactstatement on the construction project shallorder the suspension of itsoperations or use and may concurrentlyimpose a fine.Article 37A unit which dismantles or leaves idle the installations for theprevention and control of pollution without prior approval by thecompetent department of environmentalprotection administration, therebydischarging pollutants in excess of the prescribed discharge standards,shall be ordered by the competent departmentof environmental protectionadministration to set up the installationsor put them to use again, andshall concurrently be fined.Article 38An enterprise or institution which violatesthis Law, thereby causing anenvironmental pollution accident, shall be fined by the competentdepartment of environmental protection administration or anotherdepartment invested by law with power toconduct environmental supervisionand management in accordance with the consequent damage; in a seriouscase, the persons responsible shall besubject to administrative sanctionby the unit to which they belong or by the competent department of thegovernment.Article 39An enterprise or institution that has failed to eliminate or controlpollution by the deadline as required shall,as provided for by the state,pay a fee for excessive discharge; inaddition, a fine may be imposed onit on the basis of the damage incurred, orthe enterprise or institutionmay be ordered to suspend its operations or close down. The fine asspecified in the preceding paragraph shallbe decided by the competentdepartment of environmental protectionadministration. An order for thesuspension of operations or shut-down of an enterprise or institutionshall be issued by the people's governmentthat set the deadline for theelimination or control of pollution. An order for the suspension ofoperations or shut-down of an enterprise orinstitution directly under thejurisdiction of the Central Government shallbe submitted to and approvedby the State Council.Article 40A party refusing to accept the decision on administrative sanction may,within 15 days of receiving the notificationon such a decision, apply forreconsideration to the department next higher to the authorities thatimposed the sanction; if the party refuses to accept the decision ofreconsideration, it may, within 15 days ofreceiving the reconsiderationdecision, bring a suit before a people'scourt. A party may also bring asuit directly before a people's court within 15 days of receiving thenotification on the sanction. If, upon theexpiration of this period, theparty has not applied for reconsideration orhas neither brought a suitbefore a people's court nor complied withthe sanction, the authoritiesthat imposed the sanction may apply to thepeople's court for compulsoryenforcement.Article 41A unit that has caused an environmentalpollution hazard shall have theobligation to eliminate it and makecompensation to the unit or individualthat suffered direct losses. A dispute over the liability to makecompensation or the amount of compensationmay, at the request of theparties, be settled by the competent department of environmentalprotection administration or anotherdepartment invested by law withpowerto conduct environmental supervision andmanagement. If a party refuses toaccept the decision on the settlement, it may bring a suit before apeople's court. The party may also directly bring a suit before thepeople's court.If environmental pollution losses resultsolely from irresistible naturaldisasters which cannot be averted even after the prompt adoption ofreasonable measures, the party concernedshall be exempted from liability.Article 42The limitation period for prosecution with respect to compensation forenvironmental pollution losses shall bethree years, counted from the timewhen the party becomes aware of or shouldbecome aware of the pollutionlosses.Article 43If a violation of this Law causes a serious environmental pollutionaccident, leading to the grave consequencesof heavy losses of public orprivate property or human injuries or deaths of persons, the personsdirectly responsible for such an accident shall be investigated forcriminal responsibility according tolaw.Article 44Whoever, in violation of this Law, causesdamage to natural resources likeland, forests, grasslands, water, minerals,fish, wild animals and wildplants shall bear legal liability inaccordance with the provisions ofrelevant laws.Article 45Any person conducting supervision and management of environmentalprotection who abuses his power, neglects his duty or engages inmalpractices for personal gains shall begiven administrative sanction bythe unit to which he belongs or thecompetent higher authorities; if hisact constitutes a crime, he shall be investigated for criminalresponsibility according to law.
ChapterVI Supplementary Provisions
Article 46If an international treaty regardingenvironmental protection concluded oracceded to by the People's Republic of Chinacontains provisions differingfrom those contained in the laws of thePeople's Republic of China, theprovisions of the international treaty shallapply, unless the provisionsare ones on which the People's Republic of China has announcedreservations.Article 47This Law shall enter into force on the date of promulgation. TheEnvironmental Protection Law of the People'sRepublic of China (for TrialImplementation) shall be abrogatedtherefrom.