Core Viewpoint - The legislative process of the Ecological Environment Code has advanced, with the second draft of the pollution prevention section and legal responsibilities being submitted for review by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, addressing key social concerns and enhancing environmental protection measures [1]. Group 1: Air Pollution Prevention - The draft emphasizes addressing shortcomings in air pollution prevention, including stricter standards for volatile organic compounds and enhanced regulation of emissions from heavy-duty trucks and ships [2][3]. - The draft expands the definition of "organic solvents" to include "raw and auxiliary materials and products containing volatile organic compounds," thereby broadening the scope of regulation [3]. - It also strengthens the oversight of emissions from mobile sources, such as vehicles and ships, reflecting the changing landscape of air pollution sources [4]. Group 2: Water Pollution Prevention - The draft includes more detailed regulations for water pollution prevention, such as conducting assessments of groundwater conditions and enhancing pollution control for ships entering inland rivers [5][6]. - It establishes management requirements for groundwater pollution prevention and sets higher standards for wastewater discharge from inland vessels [6]. Group 3: Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution - The draft strengthens regulations on agricultural non-point source pollution, focusing on financial support, management of agricultural inputs, and disposal of agricultural waste [7][8]. - This reflects a shift in focus from point source pollution, which has seen significant improvements, to addressing the rising share of non-point source pollution in overall pollution levels [8]. Group 4: Principle of Proportionality in Penalties - The draft reinforces the principle of proportionality in penalties, optimizing fine regulations to avoid excessive penalties for minor infractions and insufficient penalties for serious violations [9][10]. - This adjustment aims to provide a more balanced approach to environmental enforcement, addressing concerns raised during the initial review of the Ecological Environment Code [10][11]. Group 5: Combating Fraudulent Practices - The draft imposes strict penalties for fraudulent practices in vehicle and ship emissions testing, as well as for falsifying monitoring data [12][13]. - It emphasizes the importance of accurate environmental monitoring data to ensure effective policy implementation and risk management [13].

Core Viewpoint - The legislative process of the Ecological Environment Code has advanced, with the second draft of the pollution prevention section and legal responsibilities being submitted for review, reflecting a systematic response to current environmental challenges and public concerns [1]. Group 1: Air Pollution Prevention - The draft emphasizes addressing shortcomings in air pollution prevention, including enhancing standards for volatile organic compounds and regulating emissions from heavy-duty trucks and ships [2][3]. - The draft expands the definition of "organic solvents" to include "raw and auxiliary materials and products containing volatile organic compounds," thereby broadening the scope of regulation [2]. - It aims to improve regulatory effectiveness for mobile sources of air pollution, which have become significant contributors to air quality issues [3]. Group 2: Water Pollution Prevention - The draft includes more detailed regulations for water pollution prevention, such as conducting groundwater condition assessments and enhancing pollution control for inland vessels [4]. - It establishes management requirements for groundwater pollution prevention, including risk control and environmental access [4]. - The draft sets higher standards for wastewater discharge from inland vessels and emphasizes the construction of pollution reception facilities at ports and shipyards [4]. Group 3: Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution - The draft strengthens regulations on agricultural non-point source pollution, addressing issues related to financial support, agricultural input management, and waste disposal [6]. - It reflects a shift in focus from point source pollution, which has seen significant improvements, to the rising challenges posed by non-point source pollution [6]. Group 4: Legal Responsibility and Penalties - The draft reinforces the principle of proportionality in penalties, aiming to avoid excessive fines for minor infractions while ensuring accountability for serious violations [7]. - It introduces provisions for adjusting penalties based on the severity of the environmental offense, addressing concerns about inconsistent enforcement [7]. Group 5: Combating Fraudulent Practices - The draft imposes strict penalties for fraudulent activities related to vehicle and ship emissions testing, as well as for falsifying monitoring data [8]. - It emphasizes the importance of accurate environmental data to inform policy-making and enforcement, thereby enhancing public trust and market fairness [8]. - The regulations aim to increase the cost of violations, thereby deterring fraudulent behavior and improving the effectiveness of environmental governance [8].