China strengthens environmental protection law – effective January 2015

BEIJING - Following four drafts and a two-year debate among policymakers, academics and activists, China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has passed amendments to the 1989 Environmental Protection Law, to be effective from January 1 2015.

Lawyers Baker & McKenzie say the highly anticipated amendments promote more sustainable economic and social development by granting stronger environmental enforcement power to the authorities, imposing tougher penalties on polluters, and strengthening public disclosure requirements. www.bakermckenzie.com (ATI).