Is the Environmental Protection Label Required to be Displayed?
4 Answers
No, according to the new regulations jointly issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Transport, the green environmental protection label was abolished in 2018. Although the green environmental protection label for motor vehicles has been canceled, vehicles still need to undergo exhaust emission testing, which remains the same as before. New vehicles eligible for the 6-year exemption from inspection do not require exhaust emission testing. Now, you only need to obtain the annual inspection label and display the compulsory insurance label, meaning it is combined with the annual inspection label. Below is additional information: 1. Regulation: This regulation was jointly issued by the environmental protection and public security departments, meaning that vehicle owners no longer need to obtain or display the environmental protection label. However, the relevant exhaust emission testing must still be conducted, as passing this test is still necessary for the annual inspection to be approved. In other words, the environmental protection label has been merged with the annual inspection label, and the most noticeable change for vehicle owners is that they now need to display one less label. 2. Revised Annual Inspection Regulations: In addition to canceling the environmental protection label, the transport department has also revised the annual inspection regulations, such as allowing vehicle owners to conduct annual inspections online, conduct inspections in different locations, and eliminating certain fees. The reduced fees mainly include the appearance inspection fee and document printing fees. Vehicles eligible for the 6-year exemption from inspection can conduct the annual inspection online, and the relevant certificates will be delivered by mail with payment upon receipt.
I've always driven my own car and am quite familiar with environmental labels. The policy is much simpler now. In the past, we had to stick those small labels on the windshield, like green labels and yellow labels, to indicate whether the vehicle met emission standards. However, China has abolished this requirement since 2017, and no longer mandates the display of such labels. This is because during vehicle inspections, after testing the emission standards, the information is directly uploaded to the system. Traffic police can then check it by scanning the license plate with electronic devices. It eliminates the hassle of stickers and reduces paper waste. Nevertheless, vehicle inspections are still mandatory to ensure the engine doesn’t pollute the environment. It’s advisable for car owners to perform regular maintenance and check the exhaust pipe, rather than just focusing on the labels. Overall, it’s more modern, convenient, and environmentally friendly, aligning with the call for green development.
Having driven for decades, I've witnessed the evolution of environmental protection labels. In the past, those stickers were commonplace, and failing to display one might result in a fine. But things are different now. After 2017, the national policy was adjusted, and the environmental protection label was abolished—no more stickers required. During vehicle inspections, if emission standards are met, the data is automatically recorded in the system. Law enforcement officers verify compliance through backend data, eliminating the need for physical labels. I think this is a positive change—it avoids issues like label peeling or forgery while simplifying the process. Of course, passing the vehicle inspection remains crucial, and emission tests are still conducted as usual. Don’t worry about whether to display a label, but do cultivate good habits: regularly clean the air filter, change the engine oil, and reduce exhaust emissions. This not only ensures compliance but also helps improve our city's air quality. The policy shift reflects technological and societal progress.
The environmental protection label was originally intended to control polluting vehicles and improve environmental quality. Physical labels are no longer required now, as electronic management covers vehicle inspection data. Law enforcement can directly check the system to determine if emissions meet standards. As car owners, the key is to ensure the vehicle passes annual inspections and maintains good condition. Not displaying the label has no impact, but we must take action: choose low-emission vehicles, perform regular engine maintenance such as carbon deposit cleaning. This is more practical than just relying on labels and contributes to atmospheric protection. Reducing disposable stickers also supports the circular economy.
