The Classified Directory for Environmental Management of Construction Projects was adopted on Aug. 15, 2008 after revision. It is hereby issued and will take effect upon Oct. 1, 2008.

　　 Zhou Shengxian

Minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection

　　 Sep. 2, 2008

Classified Directory for Environmental Management of Construction Projects

Article 1 The Directory was formulated for the purpose of executing category management of environmental impact assessment (EIA) of construction projects in accordance with article 16 of Law of the People's Republic of China on Environmental Impact Assessment.

Article 2 The state authority exercises category management of EIA of construction projects based on the extent of impact construction projects will have on the environment.

In line with provisions of the Directory, construction agencies shall undertake the responsibility of preparing environmental impact statement (EIS) and environmental impact form (EIF) or filling in environmental impact registration form.

Article 3 Environmental sensitive areas, as named herein, refer to various natural or cultural protection areas at all levels set up according to law as well as areas especially sensitive to certain types of pollution factors or ecological influence factors, which include the following:

1. Nature reserves, scenic spots, world cultural and natural heritage sites and drinking water source protection areas.

2. Prime farmland protection area, basic grassland, forestry parks, geoparks, important wetlands, natural forestry, natural distribution areas with congregations of rare and endangered wildlife, natural spawning sites and feeding ground of important aquatic life, wintering ground and migration route, natural fishery, areas lacking water resources, key areas for the control of soil erosion, enclosed sandy land for protection, closed or semi-closed sea area and eutrophicated waters.

3. Areas mainly serving residential, medical, cultural, education, scientific research, administration and official business functions, cultural heritage protection units and protection areas with special historical, cultural, science and ethnic significance.

Article 4 The nature and extent of sensitivity of the environment where construction projects are located are major basis for determining the category of EIA.

Strict compliance is needed for determining the category of EIA of projects involving environmental sensitive areas. Raising or lowering the category rank at discretion is not allowed. The EIA document shall focus on analyzing the impact of projects on environmental sensitive areas.

Article 5 EIA category of cross-sector and comprehensive construction projects shall be determined according to the highest level of individual indicators.

Article 6 For construction projects not included in the Directory, the EIA category shall be proposed by provincial environmental protection department to the competent national environmental protection authority under the State Council for approval according to the characteristics of pollution factors and ecological influence factors of the projects as well as the nature and extent of sensitivity of the environment that the projects are located in.

Article 7 The national environmental protection authority under the State Council is held responsible for the interpretation of the Directory and for its revision and announcement accordingly.

Article 8 The Directory shall take effect upon Oct. 1, 2008 and the Classified Directory for Environmental Management of Construction Projects (SEPA Order No. 14) will be abolished at the same time.

Appendix Table: Classified Directory for Environmental Management of Construction Projects (This English version is for your reference only.In case any discrepancy exists between the Chinese and English context, the Chinese version shall prevail.)