The Law on Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution was promulgated in 1987 and amended in 1995, 2000, 2015 and 2018 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on October 26, 2018.

There are 129 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.Atmospheric pollution prevention and control shall strengthen the prevention and control of atmospheric pollution from coal, industry, motor-driven vehicles and vessels, dust, and agriculture, promote joint prevention and control of regional atmospheric pollution, and conduct cooperative control of atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gas such as particles, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, and ammonia, etc.

2.The State Council and local governments shall formulate the atmospheric quality standards.

3.In the development of quality standards for products containing volatile organic compounds, such as coal, petroleum coke, biomass fuel, and coatings, fireworks and firecrackers, boilers, etc., the atmospheric environment protection requirements shall be specified.

4.The state will gradually promote the trading of the right to discharge key atmospheric pollutants.