New guidelines on emerging pollutant ban, control and monitoring announced

In a move to strengthen the management of emerging pollutants that present a long-lasting hazard to health, the State Council, China's Cabinet, has released a guideline on stepping up import and export controls and increasing monitoring.

All chemical substances in mass production and consumption are to be screened for environmental risk by the end of 2025, according to the document, which was released on Wednesday.

An institutional system and governance mechanism to control toxic and hazardous chemicals will be established and its performance improved during the period.

The term 'emerging pollutants' or 'contaminants of emerging concern', can refer to a number of chemicals and compounds used to make items such as medicines, agricultural products and household cleaning products.

Despite the fact that more research is needed, it is widely acknowledged that emerging pollutants are increasingly detrimental to aquatic life such as fish, and contaminate the food chain, posing a risk when consumed.

With 210,000 producers, China outpaces the world in terms of the manufacture of chemicals. The sector produced 2,800 chemicals and contributed 13.8 percent of national GDP in 2018, according to a release from the Ministry of Emergency Management in 2020. 

The Wednesday document includes 19 measures to be taken, including the establishment of a special monitoring network.

Pilot programs to monitor emerging pollutants in key regions, industries and industrial parks will be rolled out based on existing monitoring facilities, the document stated. Following a survey of the sector, a monitoring system will be created within three years.

A list of key emerging pollutants requiring control will be drafted and continuously updated. All chemicals listed will either be banned or restricted in terms of production, processing, import and export.

The restrictions will be incorporated into national standards for toys and student supplies, the document sated, adding that by enhancing environmental impact assessment, new projects involving emerging pollutants will be subject to more stringent restrictions.