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Summary |
Contents |
Comprehensive
< Guidelines for Corporate Sustainable Disclosure - Basic Guidelines (Trial) >
< EU - Regulation on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour on the Union Market >
Environment
< National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes (2025 Edition) >
Health and Safety
< General Rules for Designing the Production Facilities in accordance with Safety and Health Requirements >
< Specification for Safety Management of Personal Protective Equipment >
Labour
< Notice on Average Monthly Working Hours of Workers and Calculation Method for Wages >
< Interim Measures for the Implementation of the Flexible Retirement System >
Minimum Wage Standard Update
Chongqing Municipality, Xinjiang, and Shanxi Province
Summary of Law Updates: |
Comprehensive
1. < Guidelines for Corporate Sustainable Disclosure - Basic Guidelines (Trial) > (2024-11-17)
The Ministry of Finance, together with nine other ministries issued the Guidelines for Corporate Sustainable Disclosure - Basic Guidelines (Trial) (hereinafter referred to as the Guidelines) on 17th November 2024.
The Guidelines consist of six chapters and 31 articles, mainly providing requirements for the basic concepts, principles, methods, objectives, and general commonalities of sustainable disclosure by enterprises.
All enterprises can follow the Guidelines to make disclosure and issue compliance statements. However, the implementation of the Guidelines will not adopt a "one size fits all" mandatory implementation requirement, but will adopt a strategy of distinguishing key areas, piloting first, gradually and step by step, expanding from listed companies to non-listed companies, from large enterprises to small and medium-sized enterprises, from qualitative requirements to quantitative requirements, and from voluntary disclosure to mandatory disclosure.
The Guidelines emphasize the correlation between sustainable information and financial information and provide clear requirements for the quality of sustainable information disclosure. The core elements of disclosure are consistent with the ISSB international standards.
For enterprises, the release of the Guidelines provides a unified set of basic requirements for sustainable disclosure system at the top-level, which helps them to carry out sustainable capacity building with reference, carry out sustainable information disclosure, and gradually improve the quality of sustainable disclosure.
2. < EU - Regulation on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour on the Union Market > (2024-12-13)
On 19th November 2024, the Council of the European Union finally adopted the Regulation on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour on the Union Market (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation), which prohibits the sale, import, and export of goods manufactured using forced labour in the EU market. The Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 12th December 2024, and came into effect the next day. It will apply three years after its effective date.
“Forced labour” refers to forced or compulsory labour as defined in Article 2 of International Labour Organization Convention No. 29, including forced labour of children.
The Regulation applies to all products produced using forced labour, involving all industry sectors. The 'products produced using forced labour' refer to products that are all or partially produced using forced labour at any stage of product mining, harvesting, production, or manufacturing, including at any stage of the product supply chain, in the work or processing related to the product.
The Regulation explicitly prohibits any products containing forced labour from entering the EU market, regardless of whether these products involve forced labour in raw material extraction, harvesting, production, or manufacturing processes. This requirement imposes a higher compliance threshold on companies planning to export to the European market. Specifically, enterprises need to comprehensively evaluate the entire industry chain to ensure that there are no links involving 'forced labour', including the operations of direct and indirect suppliers.
Enterprises that do not meet these requirements will face the direct risk of their products being banned from entering the EU market, as well as the resulting damage to their brand reputation. Meanwhile, products that have already entered the European market and do not meet the requirements will also face the risk of being withdrawn. At the same time, non-compliant enterprises will also be required to bear the cost of disposing of affected products.
Currently, in addition to the European Union and the United States (UFLPA), other countries and regions are also planning to introduce similar measures to restrict forced labour in the context of globalization. Therefore, even if the enterprise does not directly or indirectly enter the EU market, it needs to be prepared to adapt to a stricter global trade compliance environment.
Environment
< National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes (2025 Edition) > (2025-01-01)
The National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes (2025 Edition) (hereinafter referred the Catalogue 2025) has been jointly gazetted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Transport and National Health Commission on 26th November 2024 and it has come into force since 1st January 2025. The previous National Catalogue of Hazardous Wastes (2021 Edition) (hereinafter referred the Catalogue 2021) was abolished on the same date. The main updated contents in new catalogue are as below:
Health and Safety
1. < General Rules for Designing the Production Facilities in accordance with Safety and Health Requirements > (2025-01-01)
The General Rules for Designing the Production Facilities in according with Safety and Health Equipment (GB5083-2023) (hereinafter referred to as the General Rules) were jointly issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standards Committee on 28th December 2023, and will come into effect on 1st January 2025; This General Rules replaces the original General Rules for Designing the Production Facilities in accordance with Safety and Health Requirements (GB5083-1999). The relevant revisions are as follows:
2. < Specification for Safety Management of Personal Protective Equipment > (2025-01-01)
The Specification for Safety Management of Personal Protective Equipment (AQ 6111-2023) (hereinafter referred to as the Specification) were issued by the Ministry of Emergency Management of PRC on 20th December 2023, and has been in force on 1st January 2025. The relevant content is as follows:
Labour
1. < Notice on Average Monthly Working Hours of Workers and Calculation Method for Wages > (2025-01-01)
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has issued the Notice on Average Monthly Working Hours of Workers and Calculation Method for Wages (hereinafter referred to as the Notice) on 1st January 2025. The Notice states that: According to the Decision on Amending the Regulation on Public Holidays for National Annual Festivals and Memorial Days by the State Council (Decree No.795 of the State Council), Festivals for all citizens has been changed from 11 days to 13 days. Hereby, average monthly working hours of workers and calculation method for wages are adjusted respectively as follows:
Annual working days: 365 days -104 days (rest days) -13 days (official public holidays) = 248 days
Quarterly working days: 248 days ÷ 4 quarters = 62 days / quarter
Monthly working days: 248 days ÷ 12 months = 20.67 days / month
Calculation of working hours: the working days of annual, quarterly or monthly × 8 hours per day respectively
According to Article 51 of PRC Labor Law, employers shall pay wages to workers on holidays. So, the calculation for daily wages or hourly wages should include 13 days of national holidays. Hereby, the calculation for daily wages and hourly wages are as follows:
Daily wages: monthly wages income ÷ monthly days for getting payment
Hourly wages: monthly wages income ÷ (monthly days for getting payment × 8)
Monthly days for getting payment = (365 days - 104 days) ÷ 12 months = 21.75 days
2. < Interim Measures for the Implementation of the Flexible Retirement System > (2025-01-01)
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Central Organization Department, and the Ministry of Finance issued the Interim Measures for the Implementation of the Flexible Retirement System on 31st December 2024, clarifying that the flexible retirement system will be implemented from 1st January 2025.
Flexible early retirement:
Flexible Delayed Retirement:
Employers shall not violate the wishes of employees, illegally force, or indirectly force employees to choose their retirement age.
China Minimum Wage Standard Update- January 2025 |
Area | Minimum Wage Standard (RMB/month) |
Chongqing Municipality: Effective from 1 January 2025 | |
Wanzhou District, Qianjiang District, Fuling District, Yuzhong District, Dadukou District, Jiangbei District, Shapingba District, Jiulongpo District, Nan'an District, Beibei District, Yubei District, Banan District, Changshou District, Jiangjin District, Hechuan District, Yongchuan District, Nanchuan District, Qijiang District, Dazu District, Bishan District, Tongliang District, Tongnan District, Rongchang District, Kaizhou District, Liangping District, Wulong District, Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing High tech Zone of Western Science Town, Wansheng Economic Development Zone | 2330 |
Chengkou County, Fengdu County, Dianjiang County, Zhong County, Yunyang County, Fengjie County, Wushan County, Wuxi County, Shizhu County, Xiushan County, Youyang County, Pengshui County | 2200 |
Xinjiang Autonomous Region: Effective from 1 January 2025 | |
Urumqi City, Karamay City | 2070 |
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County | 1900 |
Yining City, Kuitun City, Tekes County, Shanshan County, Yizhou District, Changji City, Fukang City, Hutubi County, Manas County, Qitai County, Jimusar County, Mulei Kazak Autonomous County, Khorgos City, Wusu City, Shawan City, Korla City, Ruoqiang County, Aksu City, Kuqa City, Alar City, Tiemenguan City, Kekedala City, Wujiaqu City, Huyanghe City, Shihezi City, Xinxing City | 1890 |
Gaochang District, Toksun County, Barikun Kazak Autonomous County, Yiwu County, Yining County, Chabuchar Xibe Autonomous County, Huocheng County, Gongliu County, Xinyuan County, Zhaosu County, Nilke County, Tacheng City, Emin County, Toli County, Yumin County, Hoboksar Mongol Autonomous County, Altay City, Burqin County, Fuyun County, Fuhai County, Habahe County, Qinghe County, Jimunai County, Bole City, Jinghe County, Wenquan County, Alashankou City, Luntai County, Yuli County, Qiemo County, Yan Qi Hui Autonomous County, Hejing County, Heshuo County, Bohu County, Wensu County, Shaya County, Xinhe County, Baicheng County, Wushi County, Awati County, Keping County, Atushi City, Aktau County, Ahqi County, Wuqia County, Kashi City, Shufu County, Shule County, Yingjisha County, Zepu County, Shache County, Yecheng County, Maigaiti County Yuepuhu County, Jiashi County, Bachu County, Hotan City, Hotan County, Moyu County, Pishan County, Luopu County, Cele County, Yutian County, Minfeng County, Tumushuke City, Shuanghe City, Baiyang City, Beitun City, Kunyu City | 1750 |
Area | Minimum Wage Standard (RMB/month) |
Shanxi Province: Effective from 1 January 2025 | |
Taiyuan City: Yingze District, Jiancaoping District, Xinghualing District, Wanbailin District, Jinyuan District, Xiaodian District, Gujiao City, Qingxu County; Datong City: Pingcheng District, Yungang District; Yangquan City: Urban District, Mining District, Suburbs; Changzhi City: Luzhou District, Xiangyuan County; Jincheng City: Urban District, Gaoping City, Yangcheng County, Zezhou County, Qinshui County; Shuozhou City: Shuocheng District, Pinglu District; Xinzhou City: Xinfu District, Yuanping City; Jinzhong City: Yuci District, Jiexiu City; Linfen City: Yaodu District; Luliang City: Lishi District, Xiaoyi City, Fenyang City, Liulin County; Yuncheng City: Yanhu District, Hejin City | 2150 |
Taiyuan City: Yangqu County; Datong City: Xinrong District, Yunzhou District, Zuoyun County; Yangquan City: Yu County, Pingding County; Changzhi City: Lucheng District, Shangdang District, Tunliu District, Qinyuan County, Changzi County; Shuozhou City: Huairen City, Shanyin County, Ying County, Youyu County; Xinzhou City: Dai County, Ningwu County, Hequ County, Baode County; Luliang City: Jiaocheng County, Xing County; Jinzhong City: Xiyang County, Shouyang County, Taigu District, Qi County, Pingyao County, Lingshi County; Linfen City: Houma City, Huozhou City, Ji County, Yicheng County, Xiangfen County, Hongdong County, Xiangning County, Pu County, Quwo County; Yuncheng City: Yongji City, Linyi County, Jishan County, Jiang County, Xinjiang County, Ruicheng County | 2050 |
Taiyuan City: Loufan County; Datong City: Hunyuan County, Yanggao County, Guangling County, Tianzhen County, Lingqiu County; Changzhi City: Pingshun County, Qin County, Wuxiang County, Huguan County, Licheng County; Jincheng City: Lingchuan County; Xinzhou City: Dingxiang County, Fanshi County, Shenchi County, Wuzhai County, Pian'guan County, Kelan County, Jingle County, Wutai County; Luliang City: Jiaokou County, Fangshan County, Lan County, Lin County, Zhongyang County, Shilou County, Wenshui County; Jinzhong City: Zuoquan County, Heshun County, Yushe County; Linfen City: Xi County, Gu County, Fenxi County, Daning County, Yonghe County, Anze County, Fushan County; Yuncheng City: Wenxi County, Pinglu County, Hengqu County, Xia County, Wanrong County | 1950 |
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