The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) held a regular press conference on October 29. At the conference, Mr. Liu Youbin, spokesperson of MEE, briefed on the recent progress of key priorities regarding ecological and environmental protection, including special ozone depleting substances (ODS) law enforcement inspection and the implementation of import and export licensing system for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in China. 

I. Constantly carry out special ODS law enforcement inspection

Following the inspections carried out in 2018 and 2019, MEE continued to carry out special ODS law enforcement inspection nationwide in 2020, and organized local ecology and environment bureaus (EEBs) to investigate 2,514 ODS-related enterprises in key sectors. It was found that 21 enterprises were identified failing to register or keep original recording materials of production and operation activities as required by relevant regulations. Local EEBs have urged those enterprises to finish rectification. At the same time, according to the tip-offs, 4 illegal ODS production enterprises located in Hebi, Jiaozuo and Xuchang (Henan Province) and Jiujiang (Jiangxi Province) were investigated. These enterprises have been engaged in illegal production of two controlled substances (HCFC-22 and HCFC-141b), and a total of 63.4 tons of illegally produced ODS was seized on site. At present, The facilities and equipments used in illegal production have been dismantled in accordance with the Regulation on the Administration of Ozone Depleting Substances, the seized ODS have been soundly disposed, and the enterprises involved have been fined 1,000,000 RMB yuan respectively.

In 2021, MEE has continued to organize special ODS law enforcement inspections nationwide, constantly imposing high pressure and deterrence in cracking down on all kinds of illegal behaviors during the implementation process, and worked closely with the international community to maintain and safeguard compliance achievements so as to achieve the compliance targets required by the Protocol as scheduled. 

II. China will officially implement HFCs import and export licensing system

The Kigali Amendment entered into force for China on September 15，2021 (temporarily not applicable to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China). According to the requirements of the Amendment, after the consultation with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC), HFCs import and export licensing system has been officially implemented from November 1. Enterprise engaged in the import and export of HFCs should submit applications in accordance with Management Measures of ODS Import and Export. After the approval by the National Import and Export Management Office of Ozone Depleting Substances, enterprises should apply to MOFCOM or issuing agencies entrusted by MOFCOM for import and export licenses and go through customs clearance and obey relevant laws and regulations.. 

In order to implement HFCs import and export licensing system, MEE has carried out a series of preparations in conjunction with MOFCOM and GAC. The first is to revise and release China’s Import and Export Catalogue of Controlled Ozone Depleting Substances (hereinafter referred to as the Catalogue), HFCs control was incorporated into the scope of the Catalogue to provide legal basis for the implementation of import and export licensing system. The second is to expand and construct the Import and Export Management Approval System of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol and increase the function of HFCs import and export approval. The third is to conduct a thorough investigation on domestic HFCs import and export enterprises from August to October 2021, laying a foundation for the smooth implementation of HFCs import and export licensing system. The fourth is to conduct training for HFCs import and export enterprises, detailed explanations were given on the policy basis, management measures, schedule, and use of the approval system for the implementation of HFCs import and export licensing management, so that import and export enterprises could fully understand policies and be familiar with the approval process.