Legislature mulls boiler, elevator safety law

BEIJING - A draft law on the safety of "special equipment," or equipment that operates under high pressure, temperature or speed and poses a potential threat to public safety, was tabled for a second reading by China's legislature on Tuesday.

Specified equipment includes boilers, elevators, cranes and large recreation facilities, according to the draft law being deliberated at the three-day bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

The draft law was first submitted to the legislature in August 2012.

It provides that safety standards enacted by the special equipment watchdog must be observed throughout the equipment's production, operation and testing processes, and residents as well as organizations can report violations involving such equipment to the watchdog.

Furthermore, the watchdog should keep files of all registered special equipment and urge users to stop using worn-out pieces, according to the draft law which also requires linking the safety of special equipment with performance evaluation of local governments.

In addition, the draft law obliges producers, sellers and users of special equipment to obtain state-granted licenses and certifications. Besides, the state should impose compulsory testing on the production of special equipment and examine those items in use regularly.