China is setting up a lifelong accountability system for polluters, both companies and individuals, who will be held responsible for contaminated land, according to regulations on preventing and controlling soil pollution issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
This regulation stressed that land users should treat and restore the land first, before constructing residences or other public facilities such as business venues, hospitals and schools. The restoration will be subject to third-party assessment, and data on the land will be available to the public as well. If the land still fails to meet national standards, environmental authorities can decline applications for the land's use.
The lifelong accountability system has won support for now, Xinhuanet, part of Xinhua News Agency, reported, but stated training will be required for those in charge of implementing soil pollution prevention and control responsibilities, developing the system for soil audits, adjusting the current mechanism for evaluating performance and designating the boundary lines for regional environmental jurisdictions.
Considering that worsening soil pollution is a long-standing problem, Xinhuanet also noted that the department in charge of the new regulation should pay particular attention to residents’ reports and media investigations, and deliver severe punishment in cases of serious damage to the environment.
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