The last issue of CER reported on management of hazardous waste in China and on emerging technical guidelines governing hazardous waste treatment, storage and transport. However, CER sources within SEPA report that the drafting and passage of the guidelines has been delayed in the State Council.
In particular, the overworked Legal Bureau of the State Council is now preparing for presentation to the State Council up to 50 items of legislation covering various sectors and items. There is thus a backlog. The State Council meets twice a month to pass legislation and discusses only 1-2 items each meeting.
Although some details of hazardous waste legislation have been passed (such as measurement standards), there remain important transport standards, disposal standards for incineration and landfill management standards to be passed. CER sources estimate that the necessary detailed standards for hazardous waste management will be in place by the end of 1999.