Three departments issue joint guidelines to address the issue of inconsistent enforcement standards regarding opening and closing windows in factories

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Recently, the Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Ministry of Emergency Management, issued the \"Opinions on the Proper Understanding and Application of the Enforcement Standards Regarding Whether Factories Should Operate with Windows Open or Closed\" (hereinafter referred to as the \"Opinions\"). These opinions address the pressing issue raised by enterprises regarding whether factories should operate with windows open or closed, providing guidance for local authorities on how to apply these enforcement standards in a precise and standardized manner. They aim to ensure that law enforcement and supervision uphold safety and environmental standards while simultaneously avoiding arbitrary and one-size-fits-all approaches, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of the economy and society. The “Opinions” focus on the core requirements regarding opening and closing windows, addressing regulatory challenges with precision. By clarifying the standards and exceptions, from the perspective of ecological and environmental protection, for workplaces involved in pollutant emissions, sealing or enclosing measures as well as pollutant collection and treatment should be implemented; at the same time, exhaust stacks and ventilation openings must be installed in accordance with regulations ； For areas that cannot be sealed, measures such as cleaning the raw materials and locally collecting and treating exhaust gases can be taken; law enforcement officers should not simply require enterprises to \"close their windows\". From the perspective of safe production, in enclosed or sealed work areas, when the levels of hazardous substances emitted exceed safe thresholds, ventilation measures such as fan interlocks must be implemented; law enforcement officers should not simply order companies to open windows. Environmental protection agencies and emergency management departments in various regions should, taking into account the characteristics of enterprises in different industries, further clarify the specific meaning of enforcement standards, strengthen training for law enforcement officers, and guide them to accurately understand the requirements for enforcement in order to avoid mechanical approaches to law enforcement. The Guidelines require strengthening the safeguards for law enforcement procedures, urging environmental protection and emergency management departments in various regions to strictly implement relevant regulations, establish and improve coordinated mechanisms, formulate joint inspection plans, carry out joint law enforcement efforts, enhance collaborative governance, and promptly discuss and resolve issues arising from inconsistent regulatory requirements. The Guidelines emphasize the need to improve the ability of frontline law enforcement officers to enforce regulations accurately and to provide services to enterprises. They urge environmental protection and emergency management departments in various regions to balance production and operations with safety measures and environmental protection, to enhance their service orientation, and to guide enterprises in strictly complying with laws, regulations, standards, and norms. This will enable them to set up equipment and facilities in a scientific and standardized manner that meets both environmental and safety requirements, thereby helping enterprises overcome the difficulties they face.