The news speaker of the SEPA Mr. Tao Detian informed the press over the environmental protection post-checkup results of the rectification of 130 once environmentally law-breaking multinational companies. He noted, multinational companies should strive to improve their capacity and level in self-initiated environmental protection law compliance, establish and amplify their internal environmental protection management system and mechanism and actively live up to their corporate social and environmental responsibilities.

Mr. Tao said, ever since last November, the SEPA has conducted the special environmental protection post-checkup of 130 multinational companies having environmentally law-breaking behaviors in 2004~2007. The environmental protection post-checkup involved 130 multinational companies in 19 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of Hebei, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Shandong, Fujian, Anhui, Hunan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Guizhou covering a wide range of industries of food, fermentation, chemical, mechanical manufacturing, electronics and papermaking. Most of these companies are based in developed countries in Europe, the U.S. and Japan boasting both world-renowned brands and "Global 500 Enterprises" with rather sound environmental protection reputation. However, they have conducted a string of environmental law-breaking activities in China in recent years, indicating serious lack of corporate social responsibilities.

Mr. Tao pointed out that the post-checkup of all the 130 multinational companies have been materialized with relevant punishment measures in place. As a result, no further environmental law-breaking activities have been found. However, three companies still had other types of environmental law-breaking activities as follows: the CG-OMNOVA Decorative Products (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was emitting soot and SO₂ from its heavy oil boiler exceeding related standard and was discharging the flushing wastewater without any treatment. Presently, the Shanghai Minhang District Environmental Protection Bureau has placed the case on file for further investigation and prosecution. Shanghai COSCO Kawasaki Heavy Industries Steel Structure Co., Ltd. was emitting noise beyond related standard, and Shanghai Baoshan District Government have already ordered the company for correction with a set limit of time on August 27 of last year. The Jinmailang Food (Chengdu) Co. Ltd. was in operation without the facilities concerning the "three simultaneity" in place and was discharging effluent exceeding related standard. In addition, the main body of the construction project of company was put into operation without the supporting environmental protection facilities being examined for acceptance and approval nor any application being lodged for pilot operation extension. The Sichuan Provincial Environmental Protection Department has already ordered the company to stop production and meted out fines to the company.

Mr. Tao Detian finally indicated that the Chinese government attaches great importance to promoting enterprises to should their corporate social and environmental responsibilities. The State Council clearly requests to strengthen the subject responsibilities of enterprises to create the pattern of energy conservation and emission reduction work led by the government with the main player of the enterprise and joint promotion of the whole society. The environmental responsibility demands both the endeavor of Chinese domestic enterprises and the efforts of multinational companies as well. Multinational companies should try to improve their capacity and level in self-initiated environmental protection law-compliance, establish and amplify their internal environmental protection management system and mechanism and actively live up to their corporate social and environmental responsibilities. The SEPA will further step up its environmental enforcement efforts to stimulate law compliance level among enterprises. Meanwhile, it will actively guide enterprises to build up and improve their internal environmental protection management system and mechanism and increase their capacity and level in environmental protection self-discipline through such means as the establishment of environment-friendly enterprises and the practice of environmental supervisor system in enterprises.