Ministry unveils draft revision of the national air quality standards

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has released a draft revision of the national air quality standards, emphasizing public health protection and primarily targeting PM2.5, the fine particulate matter posing the greatest health risk.

According to the draft, the annual density limit for PM2.5 under the secondary standard would be tightened from 35 micrograms per cubic meter to 25 micrograms per cubic meter. The daily concentration limits for the pollutant would decrease to 50 mcg/cubic m, compared with the previous 75 mcg/cubic m.

The draft also suggests adjustments for PM10, lowering its annual and daily secondary standard limits to 50 and 100 mcg/ cubic m, respectively, from the previous 70 and 150 mcg/cubic m.

The ministry plans to implement the changes in two phases, with transitional limits applied from 2026 to 2030. During this period, the annual and daily density limits under the secondary standard would be set at 30 and 60 mcg/cubic m for PM2.5, and 60 and 120 mcg/cubic m for PM10.

In a news conference on Friday, the ministry spokesman Pei Xiaofei said that the phased implementation approach is designed to "mitigate the impact of the new standards on the economy and society, ensuring a smooth transition while maintaining stable socioeconomic operations." However, he emphasized that, based on previous experiences, the revision can significantly improve air quality across the country and positively impact high-quality economic development.

The current secondary standard was implemented in 2012. Since 2015, China has seen the annual average PM2.5 density across the country decrease by 36 percent and days with heavy pollution drop by 68 percent, Pei disclosed. He also noted significant economic growth during this time, with the country's GDP growing by 63 percent and the number of cars increasing by 111 percent.

"Achieving the new air quality standards is a gradual process. We do not blindly pursue the speed of improvement alone," Pei stressed. After adopting the new standards, supporting policies and emission standards for relevant industries will be updated step by step, he said. Necessary funding, technology, and methodological measures will also be implemented progressively, he added.

From a long-term perspective, Pei underscored that the tightening of standards will enhance people's well-being and propel a green, low-carbon transition. The revision will drive a further reduction in PM2.5 concentration, effectively decreasing the risks of acute incidents and hospitalizations related to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Pei said the revision is anticipated to help effectively stimulate the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces, such as new energy vehicles and clean energy. Additionally, it will accelerate the adoption of advanced processes in industries like metallurgy, building materials, and petrochemicals, while promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of industry and transportation structures, as well as energy consumption mix.