During a recent press conference held by the State Council’s Information Office, Luo Wen, the Director of the Market Regulation Administration, announced significant steps aimed at enhancing oversight on improper fees imposed on enterprises. The goal is to alleviate burdens on businesses.
First, the administration is committed to firmly halting the establishment of illegal charge items. This initiative will target government departments, their affiliated units, and industry associations. The focus will be on thoroughly vetting the origins of fee-related policy documents. Any discovered policies lacking legal foundation will be advocated for modification or repeal. The administration will also conduct rigorous inspections of financial institutions and utility providers—addressing recurring issues like double charging and compulsory fees. A comprehensive public list of fees applicable to businesses will be formed, detailing the items, legal basis, and standards, with no charges allowed for items not on the list.
Second, there will be an increase in punitive measures against arbitrary charging practices. For administrative agencies, public institutions, and social organizations that hold advantageous positions in specific sectors, the administration will intensify the use of integrated regulatory approaches, including market oversight and credit supervision. Significant cases that draw public complaints will be exposed. Efforts will also be made to enhance public understanding of typical cases, clarifying laws and regulations so that enterprises are informed of their obligations and fee collectors adhere strictly to the established policies. There will be improved coordination in transferring evidence of misconduct.
Third, legal safeguards for regulating enterprise-related charges will be strengthened. Taking advantage of the revision of the Price Law, the administration will clarify the legal requirements surrounding fee collection by state organs and public institutions. A new set of measures to address illegal fee collection practices is expected to be introduced, along with stricter penalties for violations. The administration will expedite the revision of compliance and enforcement guidelines across various fields, solidifying a robust legal framework for fee regulation. Additionally, the implementation of guidelines for industry associations will be reinforced to better regulate their charging behaviors and improve the overall business environment.
Lastly, a long-term regulatory mechanism for enterprise-related fees will be established. The focus will be on addressing the root causes of arbitrary charges while exploring the implementation of compliance review systems for fee-related policy documents. Continuous monitoring and feedback collection mechanisms will be enhanced, establishing monitoring points to act as “frontline stations” against improper fees. The administration also plans to innovate regulatory methods, including reminders, corrective orders, warnings, and targeted supervision, to ensure effective resolution of fee-related issues.
