Core Viewpoint - The new Rural Collective Economic Organization Law, effective from May 1, 2025, aims to clarify member identification and rights within rural collective economic organizations, addressing long-standing issues related to member qualifications and disputes [4][5][28]. Group 1: Member Identification Criteria - The new law specifies three criteria for member identification: 1) having a household registration in or previously in a rural collective economic organization, 2) establishing a stable rights and obligations relationship with the organization, and 3) relying on collective-owned land and property for basic living security [6][11][13]. - There is a need for further clarification on what constitutes a "stable rights and obligations relationship" and what qualifies as basic living security based on collective property [35][39]. - As of the end of 2022, approximately 900 million members have been confirmed in rural collective economic organizations across about 980,000 registered organizations [50][51]. Group 2: Exclusions from Membership - The law explicitly excludes civil servants (except for those on a contract basis) from membership, with discussions suggesting that this exclusion could be extended to include contract civil servants, employees of public institutions, and state-owned enterprises [17][70][72]. - The law aims to prevent individuals who do not actively participate in rural life from retaining membership solely based on household registration [64][66]. - There is a recognition that individuals who have left rural areas for work can regain membership if they return and fulfill their obligations [69]. Group 3: Women's Rights Protection - The new law emphasizes equal rights for women, ensuring that their rights within rural collective economic organizations are protected regardless of marital status or other factors [90][91]. - It specifies that women should not lose their membership due to reasons such as marriage, divorce, or migration, thus enhancing the legal standing of women's rights in rural areas [95][100]. - The law also addresses the rights of new members, including those who marry into the community, ensuring they are recognized as members and can access the same rights as historical members [109][111].

Group 1: New Regulations on Housing Standards - The national standard "Residential Project Specification" will be implemented starting May, raising the minimum height of new residential buildings to 3.00 meters and requiring each unit to have rooms that meet daylight standards [2] - The new regulations also enhance sound insulation requirements between bedrooms, living rooms, and adjacent rooms, as well as for external windows and noise from building equipment [2] - Elevators must be installed in buildings with four or more floors according to the new housing standards [2] Group 2: Marriage Registration Reforms - The revised "Marriage Registration Regulations" will take effect on May 10, 2025, introducing nationwide marriage registration services and eliminating fees for registration [5] Group 3: Consumer After-Sales Service Standards - The new "Consumer After-Sales Service Methods and Requirements" standard will be implemented on May 1, 2025, emphasizing timely response, professionalism, convenience, and transparency in after-sales services [8] - The standard includes new service types such as delivery, extended warranty, and recycling, while enhancing consumer data privacy protections [8] Group 4: Return Policy Regulations - The "After-Sales Service No-Reason Return Service Specification" will be implemented on May 1, 2025, outlining conditions and processes for no-reason returns for both online and in-store sales [10] Group 5: Food Safety Reporting System - A national food safety reporting system will be launched in May to encourage reporting of food safety violations and risks, enhancing community involvement in food safety [12] Group 6: Rural Women's Rights Protection - The "Rural Collective Economic Organization Law" will take effect on May 1, 2025, strengthening the protection of rural women's rights and ensuring equal rights in collective economic organizations [15] Group 7: Tax Professional Service Regulations - The "Tax Professional Service Management Measures (Trial)" will be implemented on May 1, focusing on improving service quality and establishing a credit and risk management mechanism for tax services [17] Group 8: Energy Consumption Standards - Thirteen mandatory national standards, including "Energy Consumption Limits for Refining and Chemical Industry Products," will be implemented on May 1, expected to save 24.52 million tons of standard coal annually [19]