Taiwan's Marine Pollution Control Act Amendment Bill–Enhancing Taiwan's Environmental Protection and Infrastructure

Taiwan is surrounded by the East China Sea, the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The marine environment of the islands and the immediate coastal areas is one of Taiwan's environmental priority concerns. To this end, Taiwan has endeavored to improve its environmental protection infrastructure through enhancement of its emergency response manpower and resources and marine pollution control and by enacting amendments to a series of water and marine pollution regulations as part of the Taiwan Government's commitment to marine environmental protection, as well as by referring to current international conventions. In particular, Taiwan's Environment Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan ('EPA') has been working diligently on improving emergency response strategies, employing advanced technology and equipment, following relevant international regulations, and building international cooperation. Concurrently, the EPA has re-examined the prevailing Marine Pollution Control Act ('Act') and has prepared a draft amendment bill for the Act, which has been publicized on the EPA webpage since June 20, 2017 ('EPA Amendment Bill').