This Law provides for the prevention and control of air pollution and for the protection and improvement of the living and ecological environment. The Law consists of 129 articles divided into 8 Chapters: General Provisions (I); Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Standards and Plans for Reaching Standards within the Prescribed Time (II); Supervision and Administration of Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control (III); Atmospheric Pollution Prevention and Control Measures(IV); Joint Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution in Key Areas (V); Response to Heavy Air Pollution Weather (VI); Legal liabilities (VII); Supplementary provisions (VIII).
The Law highlights the improvement of atmospheric environmental quality. It provides for strengthening the government responsibilities on atmospheric environmental quality improvement. Local governments at various levels shall be responsible for the quality of the atmospheric environment under their own jurisdictions (art.3). The competent department of environmental protection under the State Council shall assess the progress made by provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in realizing the targets of improving the atmospheric environment quality and in undertaking key tasks of preventing and controlling atmospheric pollution (art.4). With regard to the municipalities not meeting the national standards of the quality of atmospheric environment, the municipal people s government should formulate plans and take measures to meet the standards within the time limit prescribed by the State Council or the people s government at the provincial level (art.14). Chapter II regulates the atmospheric environmental quality standards, and standards for pollutant discharge, as well as the use and implementation of standards. Chapter IV makes provisions on prevention and control measures for atmospheric pollution caused by coal, industries, motor vehicles and ships, dust and agriculture, etc. In addition, the Law provides for regional joint prevention and control on atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases, establishment of the heavily polluted weather monitoring and warning system, information disclosure and public participation, supervision and administration, offences and penalties.