Starting January 1, 2020, Zhongshan will roll out the EIA (environmental impact assessment) approval commitment system for construction projects, under which the approval time for the environmental impact reports will be cut to just 3 working days (excluding publicity period).

A few days ago, the Zhongshan Bureau of Ecology and Environment released the trial Work Plan for the Reform of the Approval Commitment System for Environmental Impact Assessment Documents of Construction Projects. The approval commitment system is now under trial implementation for 19 construction projects, including parks and tourism development.

It is introduced that the "commitment system" refers to the construction unit which should get the examination and approval from the ecology and environment departments with relevant authority based on the actual situation before the construction starts. At the same time, the construction unit is required to submit a letter of commitment, promising to carry out the construction in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, to accept supervision of administrative organs, as well as to receive punishment for its fraudulent activities and voluntarily bear relevant legal responsibilities and consequences. The company should complete the commitments within the time limit. It should also accept the supervision and management of the ecology and environment departments.

For the items subject to the examination and approval commitment system, the applicant may not choose to handle them through the commitment system. The examination and approval departments shall examine and approve these items in accordance with the relevant provisions of laws and regulations.