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].

Core Points - The legislative process of the Ecological Environment Code in China has advanced, with the second draft of the Pollution Prevention section and the Legal Responsibilities and Supplementary Provisions being submitted for review by the National People's Congress Standing Committee [1][2] - The Ecological Environment Code consists of five sections, with three sections already reviewed in September, focusing on general principles, ecological protection, and green low-carbon development [1] - The draft emphasizes the need for increased funding for agricultural pollution prevention and the proper management of agricultural inputs and waste [1] Pollution Prevention Section - The second draft of the Pollution Prevention section includes provisions for local governments to allocate budget for rural waste management and pollution control in livestock and aquaculture [1] - It mandates the development of solid waste pollution prevention plans by local governments and establishes standards for toxic and harmful substances in industrial solid waste [1][2] - The draft prohibits unauthorized dumping of construction waste and strengthens measures against heavy metal and volatile organic compound pollution [2] Legal Responsibilities and Supplementary Provisions - The second draft of the Legal Responsibilities and Supplementary Provisions section reinforces the principle of proportionality in penalties and adjusts fine regulations [2] - It specifies the conditions under which administrative penalties can be applied, particularly for actions causing environmental pollution and ecological damage [2] - The draft also expands legal responsibilities related to ecological protection and green low-carbon development, addressing issues like oil fume and light pollution [2]