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Photo of the Great Wall of China
Photo of the Great Wall of China

Contents

Description of Initiative

China has been working with great determination in recent years to develop, implement, and enforce a solid environmental law framework. Chinese officials face critical challenges in effectively implementing the laws, clarifying the roles of their national and provincial governments, and strengthening the operation of their legal system.

EPA Office of General Counsel launched the EPA – China Environmental Law Initiative in September, 2007, to encourage a continuing dialogue between the U.S. and China on environmental law. The goals of the initiative include:

Many of these cooperative activities take place in collaboration with other EPA offices, including the EPA Office of International and Tribal Affairs, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Office of Water, Office of Air and Radiation, and EPA Regional Offices.

New Developments in Chinese Environmental Law

General

Pollution Control

Public Participation

Climate Change / Energy

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Environmental Law Cooperation with China

EPA-China Environment Ministry Regional Air Quality Management Meeting
(April 18, 2013)

On April 18, 2013, the EPA Office of General Counsel participated in the 8th annual US – China Regional Air Quality Management Meeting (RAQM) organized by EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.  This marked the first time that the annual RAQM was held at EPA.  In previous years (2005-2011) the meeting was held in China.  Read more

OGC Participates in Environmental LawSymposium with Chinese Authorities (December 17-20, 2012)

On December 17-20, 2012, Deputy General Counsel Bicky Corman visited Beijing to advance capacity building on environmental law and institutions in China by participating in a symposium with Chinese environmental authorities and meetings with Chinese environmental law experts and U.S. exporters of environmental goods and services.
Read more

OGC Participates in Panel Discussion on Environmental Public Interest Law in China(November 29, 2012)

Jessica Scott (EPA Office of General Counsel) examined in detail the background and progress on the first public interest lawsuit brought by China’s first legally registered independent environmental NGO. Read more.

Chinese Administrative Law Symposium (October 24, 2012)

On October 24, 2012, OGC participated in a symposium at the University of Pennsylvania Law School entitled “The Future of Chinese Administrative Law,” sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Cardozo Law School. Speakers included the leading U.S. and Chinese experts on administrative law. The Chinese administrative law experts also visited EPA on October 22nd to discuss administrative law in the environmental law context. Read more.

U.S./China Exchange On Environmental Legislation (May 24-25, 2012)

Deputy General Counsel Tseming Yang led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s participation in a workshop and study tour with the China Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) on environmental legislation.  The workshop focused on the experience of the U.S. and China with the collection, reporting, and disclosure of pollution data, including facility-level public disclosure of pollutant releases. Read more.

Legal Resources

Find links to information on Chinese environmental statutes, regulations, directives, treaties, and international cooperation documents.

Resource Documents By Topic

Find links to articles and reports dealing with Chinese environmental law and policy.

Disclaimer

The information appearing on this Web site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice to any individual or entity. If you desire legal advice, you may wish to consult with a legal advisor. You should not rely on information from this website for legal advice.

EPA makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site. No warranty of any kind is given with respect to the contents of this Web site or its links to other Internet resources.

Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the EPA

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