Circular issued by International Group clubs New revised People's Republic of China (PRC) Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes – effective 1 September 2020 Executive summary The current PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes (previously revised in 2015) prohibits the import, dumping and disposal of both solid wastes, unless subject to a specific import license, and hazardous wastes. Those solid and hazardous waste products that are currently prohibited from import and those that are subject to an import license are listed in respective catalogues published by competent departments of the PRC - see below. The applicable licensing regime has been in effect in the PRC since 1 August 2011. A new revision to the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes (new Revision), which becomes effective on 1 September 2020, imposes joint and several liability on both the carrier and importer for the return and disposal of the solid waste where the solid waste is prohibited and/or proper license has not been obtained, and significantly increases the fines that can be imposed for violations. Members should also be aware that the PRC intends to reduce the import of solid wastes during the latter half of 2020 and that all solid wastes will be prohibited from import into the PRC from 1 January 2021. As a result, from this date the licensing regime will no longer be in place for the import of solid wastes. 2020 Revision The solid wastes that are prohibited from import, dumping and disposal in the PRC and/or are subject to import licensing are set out in catalogues of solid waste products as published and adjusted by the competent departments under the State Council of the PRC in 2017 and 2018. They are annexed to this circular as follows: Annex I Catalogue of Solid Wastes Prohibited from Importation into the PRC and that cannot be imported , Annex II Catalogue of Solid