REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON CONTROL OVERDUMPING OF WASTES IN THE OCEAN
Important Notice: (注意事项)
英文本源自中华人民共和国务院法制局编译, 中国法制出版社出版的《中华人民
共和国涉外法规汇编》(1991年7月版).
当发生歧意时, 应以法律法规颁布单位发布的中文原文为准.
This English document is coming from the "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)
which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China
Legal System Publishing House.
In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.
Whole Document (法规全文)
REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON CONTROL OVER
DUMPING OF WASTES IN THE OCEAN
(Promulgated by the State Council on March 6, 1985)
Article 1
These Regulations are specially formulated for the implementation of the
"Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China" in
order to keep a tight control over the dumping of wastes into the ocean so
as to prevent pollution damage to marine environment, keep the ecological
balance, protect marine resources, and promote the development of ocean
undertakings.
Article 2
The term "dumping" as used in these Regulations refers to discharging
wastes and other substances into the ocean by means of vessels, aircraft,
platforms and other means of transportation. It also refers to discharge
of vessels, aircraft, platforms and other man-made structures used on the
sea. In addition, it also refers to the discharge of wastes and other
substances caused by the submarine exploration and exploitation of mineral
resources and the related maritime processing.
"Dumping" does not include the drainage from the vessels, aircraft, and
other means of transportation and equipment working under normal
conditions.
Article 3
These Regulations are applicable to the following:
1. dumping wastes and other substances into the inland sea, territorial
sea, continental shelves and other sea areas under the jurisdiction of the
People's Republic of China;
2. loading wastes and other substances on land or at harbours of the
People's Republic of China for the purpose of dumping;
3. the transport of wastes and other substances through the inland sea,
territorial sea and other sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's
Republic of China for the purpose of dumping;
4. burning wastes and other substances within the sea areas under the
jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China;
The wastes produced in the process of offshore oil exploration and
exploitation shall be dealt with according to the Regulations of the
People's Republic of China on Administration of Environmental Protection
in the Exploration and Development of Offshore Petroleum.
Article 4
The competent departments responsible for matters concerning the dumping
of wastes are the National Oceanographic Bureau and its agencies
(hereinafter referred to as "the competent department").
Article 5
The areas for dumping shall be designated by the competent department
through consultation with relevant departments in accordance with the
principles of being scientific, rational, safe and economical and shall be
submitted to the State Council for approval.
Article 6
Units that need to dump wastes into the ocean shall apply for permission
to the competent department, and fill out according to set formula the
application forms for dumping wastes together with an examination report
on the characteristics and components of the wastes.
The competent department shall process the application within 2 months of
receipt of the application and a dumping permit shall be granted to those
approved to dump. No units, vessels, aircraft, platforms and other means
of transportation are permitted to dump wastes into the ocean without the
approval of the competent department.
Article 7
Wastes of foreign countries may by no means be brought to the sea areas
under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China for dumping;
these include vessels, aircraft, platforms and other man-made structure
used on the sea. Those who violate these Regulations shall be ordered to
clean the sea area within a limited time, pay for the elimination of
pollutants and compensation for losses thus incurred and be fined by the
competent department. Those who dump wastes outside the sea areas of the
People's Republic of China and cause pollution damage to the sea areas
under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China shall be dealt
with according to Article 17 of these Regulations.
Article 8
Vessels or other means of transportation that carry wastes through the sea
areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China for dumping
purposes must inform the competent department of China 15 days before the
vessels enter the sea areas under the jurisdiction of the People's
Republic of China.
They are also required to report the time of entry, routes, names of waste
matters, quantities and components.
Article 9
Foreign vessels and platforms in the sea areas of under the jurisdiction
of the People's Republic of China that need to dump wastes produced in the
process of offshore exploration and exploitation of mineral resources and
the related maritime processing shall get permission from the competent
department according to the stipulated procedures.
Article 10
The dumping permit shall indicate dumping units, period of validity,
quantity, the types of wastes and the method for dumping.
The issuing of certificates shall be kept under strict control according
to the relevant provisions of these Regulations. The competent department
may change or withdraw certificates in accordance with the changes in
ecological environment and the development in science and technology.
Article 11
Waste matters fall into three categories in the light of their toxicity,
content of harmful elements and the impact upon the marine environment.
The criteria used for categorization shall be worked out as annex by the
competent department and subject to amendment in the light of changes in
ecological environment, the development in science and technology and the
need in protecting the marine environment.
1. The dumping of wastes and other substances as listed in Annex I is
prohibited. In times of emergency, when wastes cannot be disposed of on
land because of its impact upon human health, emergency permits shall be
issued with the approval of the National Oceanographic Bureau to dump
wastes in prescribed ways and designated areas.
2. The dumping of wastes as listed in Annex II shall require special
permits in advance.
3. The dumping of wastes of low or no toxicity other than those listed in
Annex I and Annex II shall require ordinary permits in advance.
Article 12
Units which have already obtained permission to dump wastes shall notify
the competent department for verification before loading the waste.
The work of verification shall be conducted according to the items in the
permit. If the cargo is found not in conformity with the contents in the
permit, the competent department shall order the loading to be stopped
and, in serious cases, suspend or revoke the dumping permit.
The superintendency of the departure harbour or that of the nearest
harbour shall be notified for verification of the dumping of wastes by
vessels. If the cargo is found not in conformity with the contents in the
permit, the harbour superintendency administration shall not grant the
exit visa and shall immediately notify the competent department.
Article 13
The competent department shall monitor and supervise the dumping
activities. If need be, it may also send agents to supervise on board. The
dumping units shall offer facilitation for these functionaries.
Article 14
Those units with permission to discharge wastes shall carry out dumping in
the designated areas, within the time limits and on the terms specified in
the permit. They are required to fill out every detail of the discharge
into record forms and submit the forms to the competent department
following the instructions in the permit. Those vessels, aircraft,
platforms and other means of transportation shall bear conspicuous marks
and signals and make detailed entries in the Logbook of the waste dumping
activities.
Article 15
The vessels, aircraft, platforms and other means of transportation engaged
in dumping activities may, under any of the circumstances as specified in
Article 43 of the Marine Environmental Protection Law of the People's
Republic of China, be exempt from bearing responsibilities for
compensation.
For emergency or rescue purposes, vessels shall try to avoid or reduce
pollution damage when dumping wastes into ocean with no regard to terms
and areas as specified in the permit and report to the competent
department as soon as possible. The waste pumping unit and beneficiaries
of the emergency or rescue act shall make compensation for the pollution
damage.
If the pollution damage is due to the fault of a third party, the waste
dumping unit shall provide the competent department with irrefutable
evidence. The third party shall bear the responsibility for compensation
upon confirmation by the competent department. When vessels, aircraft,
platforms and other means of transportation navigating or operating on the
sea are abandoned for irresistible reasons, their owners shall report to
the competent department and the nearby harbour superintendency
administrations, and shall carry out at once the work of salvaging and
cleaning.
Article 16
The competent department shall conduct regular monitoring and testing in
the dumping areas, strengthen administration and avoid harmful effect on
fishery resources and other activities on the sea. The competent
departments may close any area when finding it no longer suitable for
waste dumping.
Article 17
Those who, in violation of these Regulations, cause pollution damage to
the marine environment may be ordered by the competent department to clean
up, pay the cost of eliminating the pollutants and compensate for the
victims' losses. A warning or a fine up to 100,000 RMB yuan shall be
imposed according to different situations and the graveness of harm done
by the waste dumping.
Article 18
Units and individuals demanding compensation shall submit a report of
pollution damage claim to the competent department as soon as possible.
The report shall include the time, place, area, object of the damage, list
of losses, technical authentication, and notarization. Relevant original
documents and photos shall be of help.
Article 19
Units entrusted with the job to eliminate pollutants shall, upon
completion of the job, submit a report of claim to the competent
department as soon as possible on expenses on eliminating pollution. The
report shall include time, place, manpower involved, equipment, vessels,
quantity of materials, unit price, methods of calculation, management fee,
transportation fee, other relevant expenses, result, other relevant
evidence and supporting materials.
Article 20
Standards for penalties on law breaking acts:
1. Anyone involved in one of the following acts shall be warned or fined
2,000 RMB yuan or less:
(1) forging inspection reports on wastes;
(2) failure to make waste dumping records according to Article 14 of these
Regulations;
(3) failure to report to the competent department and harbour
superintendency administrations in time under the situation defined in
Article 15 of these Regulations.
2. If the actual cargo does not conform
to the contents in the dumping permit and the case is serious, apart from
suspension or revoking of the permit, a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000
RMB yuan may be imposed.
3. Those who dump wastes without informing the competent department for
verification in accordance with Article 12 of these Regulations may be
fined from 5,000 to 20,000 RMB yuan.
4. A fine of 20,000 to 100,000 RMB yuan may be imposed for any of the
following acts:
(1) dumping wastes into the ocean without permission;
(2) failure to dump wastes according to the approved terms and in the
designated areas, excluding circumstances specified in Article 15 of these
Regulations.
Article 21
Those directly responsible for violation of these Regulations which has
caused or is likely to cause pollution damage to the environment may be
given a warning or a fine, or both, by the competent department.
Those directly responsible for violation of these Regulations which has
caused damage to marine environment resulting in serious property losses
or personal injuries and deaths, shall be dealt with by judicial organs
for their legal liabilities.
Article 22
The party concerned that does not accept the penalty imposed by the
competent department may bring a suit before the people's court within 15
days of receipt of the written decision on the penalty. If no suit is
filed, nor has the decision been carried out upon the expiration of that
period, the competent department shall petition the people's court to
enforce the decision in accordance with the law.
Article 23
Those who, on their own initiative, expose, report on and provide
evidences against acts that have violated these Regulations and caused
pollution damage to marine environment, or who have done meritorious deeds
by taking effective measures to reduce pollution damage shall be commended
or awarded.
Article 24
These Regulations shall come into force on April 1, 1985.
Annex I Substances Forbidden to be Dumped
1. Wastes containing halogen element and its compounds, chemical compounds
mercury, mercury compound, cadmium and cadmium compounds are forbidden;
but negligible content or that which soon changes into harmless substance
in the sea water are excluded.
2. Wastes with strong radioactivity and other substances that are strongly
radio active.
3. Crude oil and oil waste, refined oil products, residual oil and such
oil mixtures.
4. Fishing net, ropes, plastic products and other artificial synthesis
which can float on the surface or suspend in the water; and thus seriously
affect navigation, fishing and other activities endanger the ocean life.
5. Sewer mud and dredged stuff containing substances as listed in 1 and 2
of this Annex.
Annex II Substances to be Dumped only with Special Permits
1. Wastes that have a high content of the following substances:
(1) arsenic and its chemical compounds;
(2) lead and its chemical compounds;
(3) copper and its chemical compounds;
(4) zinc and its chemical compounds;
(5) chemical compounds of organic silicon;
(6) cyanides;
(7) fluorine chemicals;
(8) beryllium, chromium, nickel, vanadium and their chemical compounds;
(9) pesticides and their by-products which are not listed in Annex I,
excluding those which are harmless or can soon dissolve into harmless
substances in the sea.
2. Wastes that contain weak radioactive matters.
3. Containers, waste metals and other heavy waste materials that will
easily sink to the bottom of the sea and might seriously hinder fishing or
navigation.
4. Sewer mud and dredged stuff containing substances listed in 1 and 2 of
this Annex.