Mobile Source Emission Regulations

The “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution” (hereinafter referred to as the “Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Law”) is the overarching legislation for the prevention and control of air pollution from mobile sources. The “Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Law” was first promulgated in 1987, presenting fundamental requirements for motor vehicles and vessels. Environmental protection, public security, transportation, railway, and fisheries management departments at all levels of the People’s Government, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, exercise supervision and management over the atmospheric pollution caused by motor vehicles and vessels. In 1995, the first amendment was introduced, which included requirements for unleaded gasoline, among others. In 2000, the law underwent its first revision, incorporating a dedicated chapter on “Control of Atmospheric Pollutants Discharged by Motor Vehicles and Vessels”. It put forward national encouragement for the production and consumption of motor vehicles and vessels that utilize clean energy sources. Departments with supervisory and management authority over transportation, fisheries, and others were empowered to delegate the task of conducting annual exhaust emission testing of motor vessels to qualified units accredited by the relevant competent authorities, in accordance with prescribed standards. In 2015, the law underwent its second revision, introducing the chapter titled “Prevention and Control of Pollutants Discharged by Motor Vehicles and Vessels”. It proposed a series of regulatory measures concerning mobile sources, such as the public disclosure of environmental information for newly manufactured motor vehicles and NRMM, the establishment of an environmental recall system, the integration of periodic environmental inspections and safety technical inspections for in-use motor vehicles, and the implementation of remote sensing monitoring. Additionally, it established emission control zones for vessels and NRMM. The amendment also addressed pollution prevention and control measures for NRMM and civil aircraft, thus comprehensively constructing a system for the prevention and control of atmospheric pollution from mobile sources.