MEE Urges Implementation of Opinions on Deepening Reform in Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Concerning Ecological and Environmental Protection
The General Office of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment ("MEE") has recently issued the Circular on Implementing the Guiding Opinions on Deepening the Reform in Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Concerning Ecological and Environmental Protection (the "Circular").
The Circular sets out requirements in five respects, including "improving communication and coordination and taking an active approach to shouldering responsibilities and taking actions" and "fulfilling key tasks and ensuring their desired effects". Among others, the Circular requires establishing and improving, as early as possible, a series of systems, including an administrative system on law enforcement officers' practicing certificates and qualifications, an assessment, incentive and punishment system, an accountability and diligence-based liability exemption system, a law enforcement whole-process record system, a legal review system for significant law enforcement decisions, an assessment system for reviews and discussions of law enforcement files, and an accountability system against leading cadres who illegally intervene in law enforcement activities or meddle in particular cases related to ecological and environmental protection; also, efforts shall be made to establish and improve, as quickly as possible, a commendation mechanism for contributors, a wrongdoing correction and accountability mechanism, a law enforcement supervision mechanism based on information sharing and big data, and a mechanism on the interconnection between administrative law enforcement and criminal justice, and promoting the standardization of environmental law enforcement in all aspects.