China is expected to introduce new rules to smooth out its environment assessment work, aiming to promote the reform of the country's environment impact assessment practices and strengthen the administration of assessment bodies.

According to Pan Yue, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), SEPA will issue a set of new management rules on the qualification of the organizations that carry out environment impact assessments of construction projects. But Pan did not say when the rules will take effect.

"The new rules will be a major reform of the country's environment assessment service, which for the first time integrates the service's profession qualification with institution qualification works," said Pan in Beijing Monday.

The new rules aim to make assessment employees accountable.

Employees who provide false figures may be deprived of their qualifications, he said.

Private and foreign companies will be encouraged to enter the assessment market and the professionals may shift their posts in different assessment bodies.

At the same time, assessment institutions lacking technologies, professionals and the sense of responsibility should be washed out, said Pan.

Assessment bodies, according to the rules, are prohibited from both accepting business against laws and refusing business without proper reasons.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2005)