China: Air Quality Standards

Overview

 * Standard type: Ambient air quality standard
 * Regulating body: Ministry of Environmental Protection
 * Current standard:
 * Nationwide: GB 3095-1996, with revisions announced in MEP Announcement [2000 No. 1]
 * Selected cities (see below): GB 3095-2012
 * Future standard: GB 3095-2012, phased-in 2012-2016

History
Ambient air quality has been regulated in China since 1982, when initial limits were set for TSP (Total Suspended Particulates), SO2, NO2, lead, and BaP (Benzo(a)pyrene). In 1996, the standard was both strengthened and expanded from 1982 levels under National Standard GB 3095-1996. In 2000, the standard was updated with less stringent limits for certain pollutants (MEP Announcement [2000 No. 1]).

In February 2012, China released a new ambient air quality standard, GB 3095-2012, which sets limits for the first time on PM2.5. The new standards take effect nationwide in 2016, but many cities and regions in China are required to implement the standards earlier than the national timeline, as follows:
 * 2012: Key cities including cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta regions, and provincial capitals
 * 2013: Key environmental protection cities
 * 2015: All prefecture-level cities
 * 2016: Nationwide implementation

In parallel with GB 3095-2012, a new Air Quality Index (AQI) definition was also released. The new AQI, which for the first time includes both PM2.5 and ozone, is specified in HJ 633-2012. It replaces the old Air Pollution Index, API.

Technical Standards
China's current air quality standards include two classes of limit values. Class 1 standards apply to special regions such as national parks. Class 2 standards apply to all other areas, including urban and industrial areas. Earlier versions of the standard included a third class - special industrial areas - but this class was eliminated in the 2012 standard.

GB 3095-1996
The following table presents the current, nationwide ambient air quality standards in China, as specified in GB 3095-1996 and revised in MEP Announcement [2000 No. 1]. These apply to all cities which have not yet adopted the updated GB 3095-2012.

GB 3095-2012
The following table presents the future ambient air quality standards in China, as specified in GB 3095-2012. These standards are phased-in beginning in 2012 for some cities and by 2016 for all cities nationwide. Again, the Class 2 standards apply to urban areas.

Regulatory Documents

 * GB 3095-1996, current nationwide standard


 * MEP Announcement [2000 No. 1] (revisions to GB 3095-1996)


 * GB 3095-2012, future standard phased-in 2012-2016


 * HJ 633-2012, AQI definition