R&R Working Measures

The following translation was prepared by Changhao Wei, with invaluable input from Jeremy Daum. It was last updated on September 28, 2021. You can download a PDF version of the translation here. Our coverage of the “recording and review” process is collected here.

法规、司法解释备案审查工作办法
Working Measures for the Recording and Review of Regulations and Judicial Interpretations

（2019年12月16日第十三届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第四十四次委员长会议通过）
(Adopted at the 44th Meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress on December 16, 2019)

第一章　总则　Chapter I: General Provisions

第一条　为了规范备案审查工作，加强备案审查制度和能力建设，履行宪法、法律赋予全国人民代表大会及其常务委员会的监督职责，根据宪法和立法法、监督法等有关法律的规定，制定本办法。Article 1: These Measures are formulated on the basis of the Constitution and the provisions of the Legislation Law, Oversight Law, and other relevant laws, so as to standardize recording and review, strengthen the building of the system and capacity of recording and review, and fulfil the oversight functions vested by the Constitution and laws in the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee.
第二条　对行政法规、监察法规、地方性法规、自治州和自治县的自治条例和单行条例、经济特区法规（以下统称法规）以及最高人民法院、最高人民检察院作出的属于审判、检察工作中具体应用法律的解释（以下统称司法解释）的备案审查，适用本办法。Article 2: These Measures apply to the recording and review of administrative regulations, supervision regulations, local regulations, autonomous regulations and separate regulations of autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties, and special economic zone regulations (hereinafter collectively referred to as “regulations”) as well as the interpretations on the specific application of law in adjudicatory or procuratorial work issued by the Supreme People’s Court or the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (hereinafter collectively referred to as “judicial interpretations”).
第三条　全国人大常委会依照宪法、法律开展备案审查工作，保证党中央令行禁止，保障宪法法律实施，保护公民合法权益，维护国家法制统一，促进制定机关提高法规、司法解释制定水平。Article 3: The NPC Standing Committee is to perform recording and review in accordance with the Constitution and laws, to ensure the strict enforcement of the orders and prohibitions of the Communist Party Central Committee, guarantee the implementation of the Constitution and laws, protect citizens’ lawful rights and interests, preserve the uniformity of the country’s legal system, and promote the enacting organs’ improvement of the level at which regulations and judicial interpretations are formulated.
第四条　开展备案审查工作应当依照法定权限和程序，坚持有件必备、有备必审、有错必纠的原则。Article 4: Recording and review shall be conducted in accordance with legally prescribed authority and procedures and adhere to the principles that all documents must be recorded, that all recorded documents must be reviewed, and that all errors must be corrected.
第五条　常委会办公厅负责报送备案的法规、司法解释的接收、登记、分送、存档等工作，专门委员会、常委会法制工作委员会负责对报送备案的法规、司法解释的审查研究工作。Article 5: The General Office of the Standing Committee is responsible for such tasks as accepting, registering, distributing, and archiving the regulations and judicial interpretations filed for recording, and the special committees and the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee are responsible for reviewing and studying the regulations and judicial interpretations filed for recording.
第六条　加强备案审查信息化建设，建立健全覆盖全国、互联互通、功能完备、操作便捷的备案审查信息平台，提高备案审查工作信息化水平。Article 6: Strengthen the informatization of recording and review; build and improve a nationwide Recording and Review Information Platform that is interconnected, fully functional, and easy to operate; and increase the level of informatization of recording and review.
第七条　常委会工作机构通过备案审查衔接联动机制，加强与中央办公厅、司法部、中央军委办公厅等有关方面的联系和协作。Article 7: The working bodies of the Standing Committee are to strengthen contact and collaboration with the General Office of the Communist Party Central Committee, the Ministry of Justice, the General Office of the Central Military Commission, and other relevant parties through the Recording and Review Connection and Linkage Mechanism.
第八条　常委会工作机构应当密切与地方人大常委会的工作联系，根据需要对地方人大常委会备案审查工作进行业务指导。Article 8: The working bodies of the Standing Committee shall maintain close working relationships with the standing committees of local people’s congresses and provide operational guidance on the recording and review by the standing committees of local people’s congresses as needed.

第二章　备案　Chapter II: Recording

第九条　法规、司法解释应当自公布之日起三十日内报送全国人大常委会备案。 报送备案时，应当一并报送备案文件的纸质文本和电子文本。Article 9: Regulations and judicial interpretations shall be filed with the NPC Standing Committee for recording within 30 days of promulgation. When filing for recording, both hard copies and electronic versions of the documents for recording shall be filed.
第十条　法规、司法解释的纸质文本由下列机关负责报送备案：
（一）行政法规由国务院办公厅报送；
（二）监察法规由国家监察委员会办公厅报送；
（三）地方性法规、自治州和自治县制定的自治条例和单行条例由各省、自治区、直辖市人大常委会办公厅报送；
（四）经济特区法规由制定法规的省、市人大常委会办公厅（室）报送；
（五）司法解释分别由最高人民法院办公厅、最高人民检察院办公厅报送；最高人民法院、最高人民检察院共同制定的司法解释，由主要起草单位办公厅报送。		Article 10: The following organs are responsible for filing the hard copies of regulations and judicial interpretations for recording:
(1) Administrative regulations are to be filed by the General Office of the State Council;
(2) Supervision regulations are to be filed by the General Office of the State Supervision Commission;
(3) Local regulations as well as the autonomous regulations and separate regulations formulated by autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties are to be filed by the general offices of the standing committees of the people’s congresses of the various provinces, autonomous regions, and directly governed municipalities;
(4) Special economic zones regulations are to be filed by the general offices of the standing committees of the people’s congresses of the provinces or cities that formulate the regulations;
(5) Judicial interpretations are to be separately filed by the General Office of the Supreme People’s Court and the General Office of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate; and judicial interpretations jointly formulated by the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate are to be filed by the general office of the main drafting unit.
第十一条　报送备案时，报送机关应当将备案报告、国务院令或者公告、有关修改废止或者批准的决定、法规或者司法解释文本、说明、修改情况汇报及审议结果报告等有关文件（以下统称备案文件）的纸质文本装订成册，一式五份，一并报送常委会办公厅。
自治条例、单行条例、经济特区法规对上位法作出变通规定的，报送备案时应当说明对法律、行政法规、地方性法规作出变通的情况，包括内容、依据、理由等。		Article 11: When filing for recording, the filing organs shall bind the hard copies of recording reports, orders of the State Council or public announcements, decisions to amend, repeal, or approve, texts of the regulations or judicial interpretations, reports on the status of revisions, reports on the results of deliberations, and other relevant documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as “documents for recording”) in a booklet format, in quintuplicate, and file them all with the General Office of the Standing Committee.
Where autonomous regulations, separate regulations, or special economic zone regulations make varying provisions of superior legislation, the variations of laws, administrative regulations, and local regulations shall be explained when filing for recording, including the contents, bases, reasoning, and so forth.
第十二条　法规、司法解释的电子文本由制定机关指定的电子报备专责机构负责报送。
报送机关应当通过全国人大常委会备案审查信息平台报送全部备案文件的电子文本，报送的电子文本应当符合全国人大常委会工作机构印发的格式标准和要求。		Article 12: The bodies specifically responsible for electronic filing as designated by the enacting organs are responsible for filing the electronic versions of regulations and judicial interpretations.
The filing organs shall file the electronic versions of all documents for recording through the Recording and Review Information Platform of the NPC Standing Committee, and the electronic versions filed shall comply with the formatting standards and requirements issued by the working bodies of the NPC Standing Committee.
第十三条　常委会办公厅应当自收到备案文件之日起十五日内进行形式审查，对符合法定范围和程序、备案文件齐全、符合格式标准和要求的，予以接收并通过全国人大常委会备案审查信息平台发送电子回执；对不符合法定范围和程序、备案文件不齐全或者不符合格式标准和要求的，以电子指令形式予以退回并说明理由。
因备案文件不齐全或者不符合格式标准和要求被退回的，报送机关应当自收到电子指令之日起十日内按照要求重新报送备案。		Article 13: The General Office of the Standing Committee shall conduct a formal review within 15 days of receiving documents for recording, and accept those that conform to the legally prescribed scope and procedures, are complete, and comply with the formatting standards and requirements and send electronic receipts through the Recording and Review Information Platform of the NPC Standing Committee; and, in the form of electronic instructions, return those that do not conform to the legally prescribed scope or procedures, are incomplete, or do not comply with the formatting standards or requirements, and explain the reasons.
Where documents for recording are returned because they are incomplete or do not comply with the formatting standards and requirements, the filing organs shall re-file them for recording as required within 10 days of receiving the electronic instructions.
第十四条　常委会办公厅对接收备案的法规、司法解释进行登记、存档，并根据职责分工，分送有关专门委员会和法制工作委员会进行审查研究。Article 14: The General Office of the Standing Committee is to register and archive the documents accepted for recording and distribute them to the relevant special committees and the Legislative Affairs Commission for review and study according to the division of responsibilities.
第十五条　常委会办公厅对报送机关的报送工作进行督促检查，并适时将迟报、漏报等情况予以通报。Article 15: The General Office of the Standing Committee is to supervise and inspect the filing work of filing organs and circulate notices of any delay or omission in filings and such other circumstances at the appropriate time.
第十六条　每年一月底前，各报送机关应当将上一年度制定、修改、废止和批准的法规、司法解释目录汇总报送全国人大常委会办公厅。
常委会办公厅通过全国人大常委会公报和中国人大网向社会公布上一年度备案的法规、司法解释目录。		Article 16: By the end of each January, the various filing organs shall compile and submit to the General Office of the NPC Standing Committee lists of the regulations or judicial interpretations formulated, amended, repealed, or approved during the previous year.
The General Office of the Standing Committee is to disclose lists of the regulations and judicial interpretations recorded during the previous year to the public through the NPC Standing Committee Gazette and the National People’s Congress website.
第十七条　专门委员会、常委会工作机构根据审查工作需要，可以要求有关方面提供本办法第五十四条规定的规范性文件。Article 17: As needed for recording and review, the special committees and working bodies of the Standing Committee may require the relevant parties to provide the normative documents provided for in Article 54 of these Measures.

第三章　审查　Chapter III: Review

第一节　审查职责　Section 1: Duty to Review

第十八条　对法规、司法解释可以采取依职权审查、依申请审查、移送审查、专项审查等方式进行审查。Article 18: Regulations and judicial interpretations may be reviewed using such methods as sua sponte review, review upon request, review upon referral, and targeted review.
第十九条　专门委员会、法制工作委员会对法规、司法解释依职权主动进行审查。Article 19: The special committees and the Legislative Affairs Commission are to actively conduct review of regulations and judicial interpretations based on their functions and powers.
第二十条　对法规、司法解释及其他有关规范性文件中涉及宪法的问题，宪法和法律委员会、法制工作委员会应当主动进行合宪性审查研究，提出书面审查研究意见，并及时反馈制定机关。Article 20: With respect to issues involving the Constitution in regulations, judicial interpretations, and other relevant normative documents, the Constitution and Law Committee and the Legislative Affairs Commission shall actively review and study [their] constitutionality, offer written review or study opinions, and promptly provide feedback to the enacting organs.
第二十一条　国家机关依照法律规定向全国人大常委会书面提出的对法规、司法解释的审查要求，由常委会办公厅接收、登记，报秘书长批转有关专门委员会会同法制工作委员会进行审查。Article 21: The written requests for reviewing regulations or judicial interpretations submitted by state organs to the NPC Standing Committee in accordance with the provisions of law are to be received and registered by the General Office of the Standing Committee, and be reported to the Secretary General for approved forwarding to the relevant special committees for review, in conjunction with the Legislative Affairs Commission.
第二十二条　国家机关、社会团体、企业事业组织以及公民依照法律规定向全国人大常委会书面提出的对法规、司法解释的审查建议，由法制工作委员会接收、登记。
法制工作委员会对依照前款规定接收的审查建议，依法进行审查研究。必要时，送有关专门委员会进行审查、提出意见。		Article 22: The written recommendations for reviewing regulations or judicial interpretations submitted by state organs, social groups, enterprises and public institutions, and citizens to the NPC Standing Committee in accordance with the provisions of law are to be received and registered by the Legislative Affairs Commission.
The Legislative Affairs Commission is to conduct review and study according to law, based on the recommendations for review received in accordance with the provisions of the previous paragraph. When necessary, [they] are to be forwarded to the special committees for review and issuance of opinions.
第二十三条　经初步研究，审查建议有下列情形之一的，可以不启动审查程序：
（一）建议审查的法规或者司法解释的相关规定已经修改或者废止的；
（二）此前已就建议审查的法规或者司法解释与制定机关作过沟通，制定机关明确表示同意修改或者废止的；
（三）此前对建议审查的法规或者司法解释的同一规定进行过审查，已有审查结论的；
（四）建议审查的理由不明确或者明显不成立的；
（五）其他不宜启动审查程序的情形。		Article 23: Where, upon a preliminary study, a recommendation for review has any of the following circumstances, the procedures for review need not be initiated:
(1) Where the relevant provisions of the regulations or judicial interpretations that are recommended for review have been amended or repealed;
(2) Where communication has been made with the enacting organs on the regulations or judicial interpretations that are recommended for review, and enacting organs have expressly agreed to amend or repeal them;
(3) Where the same provisions of the regulations or judicial interpretations that are recommended for review have been previously reviewed, and there are already review conclusions;
(4) Where the reasons for recommending review are unclear or obviously unsustainable;
(5) Other circumstances in which it is inappropriate to initiate the procedures for review.
第二十四条　法制工作委员会对有关机关通过备案审查衔接联动机制移送过来的法规、司法解释进行审查。Article 24: The Legislative Affairs Commission is to review the regulations and judicial interpretations referred by the relevant organs through the Recording and Review Connection and Linkage Mechanism.
第二十五条　法制工作委员会结合贯彻党中央决策部署和落实常委会工作重点，对事关重大改革和政策调整、涉及法律重要修改、关系公众切身利益、引发社会广泛关注等方面的法规、司法解释进行专项审查。
在开展依职权审查、依申请审查、移送审查过程中，发现可能存在共性问题的，可以一并对相关法规、司法解释进行专项审查。		Article 25: In considering the implementation of the Communist Party Central Committee’s decisions and deployments and the Standing Committee’s priorities, the Legislative Affairs Commission is to conduct targeted reviews of regulations and judicial interpretations such as those that concern major reforms and policy adjustments, involve important amendments to laws, relate to the vital interests of the public, or engender widespread public concern.
Where potential common issues are discovered in conducting sua sponte review, review upon request, or review upon referral, targeted reviews of the relevant regulations or judicial interpretations may be conducted together.
第二十六条　对不属于全国人大常委会备案审查范围的规范性文件提出的审查建议，法制工作委员会可以按照下列情况移送其他有关机关处理：
（一）对党的组织制定的党内法规和规范性文件提出的审查建议，移送中央办公厅法规局；
（二）对国务院各部门制定的规章和其他规范性文件提出的审查建议，移送司法部；对地方政府制定的规章和其他规范性文件提出的审查建议，移送制定机关所在地的省级人大常委会，并可同时移送司法部；
（三）对军事规章和军事规范性文件提出的审查建议，移送中央军委办公厅法制局；
（四）对地方监察委员会制定的规范性文件提出的审查建议，移送制定机关所在地的省级人大常委会，并可同时移送国家监察委员会；
（五）对地方人民法院、人民检察院制定的属于审判、检察工作范围的规范性文件提出的审查建议，移送制定机关所在地的省级人大常委会，并可同时移送最高人民法院、最高人民检察院。
法制工作委员会在移送上述审查建议时，可以向有关机关提出研究处理的意见建议。		Article 26: The Legislative Affairs Commission may refer recommendations for reviewing normative documents that are not within the scope of recording and review by the NPC Standing Committee to other relevant organs according to the following circumstances:
(1) recommendations for reviewing the intra-Party regulations and normative documents formulated by Party organizations are to be referred to the Bureau of Regulations of the General Office of the Communist Party Central Committee;
(2) recommendations for reviewing the rules and other normative documents formulated by the various departments of the State Council are to be referred to the Ministry of Justice; and recommendations for reviewing the rules and other normative documents formulated by local people’s governments are to be referred to the standing committees of the provincial-level people’s congresses of the places where the enacting organs are located, and may be simultaneously referred to the Ministry of Justice;
(3) recommendations for reviewing military rules and military normative documents are to be referred to the Legislative Affairs Bureau of the General Office of the Central Military Commission;
(4) recommendations for reviewing the normative documents formulated by local supervision commissions are to be referred to the standing committees of the provincial-level people’s congresses of the places where the enacting organs are located, and may be simultaneously referred to the State Supervision Commission;
(5) recommendations for reviewing the normative documents within the scope of adjudicatory or procuratorial work formulated by local people’s courts or people’s procuratorates are to be referred to the standing committees of the provincial-level people’s congresses of the places where the enacting organs are located, and may be simultaneously referred to the Supreme People’s Court or the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.
When referring the aforementioned recommendations for review, the Legislative Affairs Commission may put forward opinions and suggestions on research and handling to the relevant organs.

第二节　审查程序　Section 2: Procedures for Review

第二十七条　根据审查要求、审查建议进行审查研究，发现法规、司法解释的规定可能存在本办法第三章第三节规定情形的，应当函告制定机关，要求制定机关在一个月内作出说明并反馈意见。
对法规、司法解释开展依职权审查、移送审查、专项审查，发现法规、司法解释的规定可能存在本办法第三章第三节规定情形的，可以函告制定机关在一个月内作出说明并反馈意见。
依照本条前两款函告需经批准的法规的制定机关的，同时抄送批准机关。		Article 27: Where, in conducting review or study in accordance with a request for review or a recommendation for review, it is found that a regulation or judicial interpretation may have any of the circumstances provided for in Chapter III, Section 3 of these Measures, the enacting organ shall be notified in writing and be required to make an explanation and respond with its opinions within one month.
Where, in conducting sua sponte review, review upon referral, or targeted review of a regulation or judicial interpretation, it is found that the regulation or judicial interpretation may have any of the circumstances provided for in Chapter III, Section 3 of these Measures, the enacting organ may be asked in writing to make an explanation and respond with its opinions within one month.
When giving written notice to the enacting organ of a regulation subject to approval in accordance with the previous two paragraphs of this article, the approving organ is to be copied at the same time.
第二十八条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，对涉及国务院职权范围内的事项，可以征求国务院有关方面的意见。Article 28: In reviewing or studying regulations and judicial interpretations, the opinions of the relevant parties of the State Council may be solicited on matters within the scope of the State Council’s functions and powers.
第二十九条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，可以根据情况征求有关专门委员会、常委会工作机构的意见。Article 29: In reviewing or studying regulations and judicial interpretations, the opinions of the relevant special committees or working bodies of the Standing Committee may be solicited based on the circumstances.
第三十条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，可以通过座谈会、听证会、论证会、委托第三方研究等方式，听取国家机关、社会团体、企业事业组织、人大代表、专家学者以及利益相关方的意见。Article 30: In reviewing or studying regulations and judicial interpretations, the opinions of state organs, social groups, enterprises and public institutions, people’s congress delegates, experts and scholars, and interested parties may be solicited through means such as seminars, hearings, debate sessions, or commissioned research by third parties.
第三十一条　根据审查建议对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，可以向审查建议人询问有关情况，要求审查建议人补充有关材料。Article 31: In conducting review or study of regulations and judicial interpretations based on recommendations for review, the persons recommending review may be asked about relevant situations and be required to supplement relevant materials.
第三十二条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，根据需要可以进行实地调研，深入了解实际情况。Article 32: In reviewing or studying regulations and judicial interpretations, field research may be conducted as needed to gain an in-depth understanding of the actual circumstances.
第三十三条　专门委员会、法制工作委员会在审查研究中认为有必要进行共同审查的，可以召开联合审查会议。 有关专门委员会、法制工作委员会在审查研究中有较大意见分歧的，经报秘书长同意，向委员长会议报告。Article 33: Where a special committee and the Legislative Affairs Commission find it necessary to conduct a joint review during their review and study, they may hold a joint review session. Where the relevant special committees and the Legislative Affairs Commission have major differences of opinion in their review and study, they are to be reported to the Council of Chairpersons after being reported to and approved by the Secretary General.
第三十四条　专门委员会、法制工作委员会一般应当在审查程序启动后三个月内完成审查研究工作，提出书面审查研究报告。Article 34: A special committee or the Legislative Affairs Commission shall generally conclude its review or study within three months of starting the procedures for review, and put forward a written review or study report.
第三十五条　法制工作委员会加强与专门委员会在备案审查工作中的沟通协调，适时向专门委员会了解开展备案审查工作的情况。Article 35: The Legislative Affairs Commission is to strengthen communication and coordination with the special committees in recording and review, and to make inquiries to the special committees about their performance of recording and review at the appropriate time.

第三节　审查标准　Section 3: Grounds for Review

第三十六条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，发现法规、司法解释存在违背宪法规定、宪法原则或宪法精神问题的，应当提出意见。Article 36: Where, during the review or study of a regulation or judicial interpretation, it is found that the regulation or judicial interpretation violates constitutional provisions, constitutional principles, or constitutional spirits, an opinion shall be issued.
第三十七条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，发现法规、司法解释存在与党中央的重大决策部署不相符或者与国家的重大改革方向不一致问题的，应当提出意见。Article 37: Where, during the review or study of a regulation or judicial interpretation, it is found that the regulation or judicial interpretation is inconsistent with the Communist Party Central Committee’s major decisions and deployments or with the direction of the country’s major reforms, an opinion shall be issued.
第三十八条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，发现法规、司法解释违背法律规定，有下列情形之一的，应当提出意见：
（一）违反立法法第八条，对只能制定法律的事项作出规定；
（二）超越权限，违法设定公民、法人和其他组织的权利与义务，或者违法设定国家机关的权力与责任；
（三）违法设定行政许可、行政处罚、行政强制，或者对法律设定的行政许可、行政处罚、行政强制违法作出调整和改变；
（四）与法律规定明显不一致，或者与法律的立法目的、原则明显相违背，旨在抵消、改变或者规避法律规定；
（五）违反授权决定，超出授权范围；
（六）对依法不能变通的事项作出变通，或者变通规定违背法律的基本原则；
（七）违背法定程序；
（八）其他违背法律规定的情形。		Article 38: Where, during the review or study of a regulation or judicial interpretation, it is found that the regulation or judicial interpretation violates the provisions of laws and has one of the following circumstances, an opinion shall be issued:
(1) Where it makes provisions for matters on which only laws may be formulated, in violation of Article 8 of the Legislation Law;
(2) Where it exceeds its authority by unlawfully prescribing the rights and obligations of citizens, legal persons, and other organizations, or unlawfully prescribing the powers and responsibilities of state organs;
(3) Where it unlawfully prescribes administrative licensing, administrative punishments, or administrative compulsion, or unlawfully adjusts or changes the administrative licensing, administrative punishments, or administrative compulsion prescribed by laws;
(4) Where it is clearly inconsistent with the provisions of laws, or clearly contravenes the legislative purpose or principles of laws, aiming to offset, change, or circumvent the provisions of the laws;
(5) Where it violates an authorizing decision and exceeds the scope of the authorization;
(6) Where it varies a matter that by law must not be varied, or its varying provisions violate the basic principles of laws;
(7) Where it violates legally prescribed procedures;
(8) Other circumstances in which the provisions of laws are violated.
第三十九条　对法规、司法解释进行审查研究，发现法规、司法解释存在明显不适当问题，有下列情形之一的，应当提出意见：
（一）明显违背社会主义核心价值观和公序良俗；
（二）对公民、法人或者其他组织的权利和义务的规定明显不合理，或者为实现立法目的所规定的手段与立法目的明显不匹配；
（三）因现实情况发生重大变化而不宜继续施行；
（四）变通明显无必要或者不可行，或者不适当地行使制定经济特区法规、自治条例、单行条例的权力；
（五）其他明显不适当的情形。		Article 39: Where, during the review or study of a regulation or judicial interpretation, it is found that the regulation or judicial interpretation is clearly inappropriate and has one of the following circumstances, an opinion shall be issued:
(1) Where it clearly violates the Core Socialist Values as well as public order and good morals;
(2) Where its provisions on the rights and obligations of citizens, legal persons, or other organizations are clearly unreasonable, or where the means prescribed to achieve its legislative purpose clearly does not match the legislative purpose;
(3) Where its continued implementation is inadvisable because the reality has changed significantly;
(4) Where its variations are clearly unnecessary or unfeasible, or it has inappropriately exercised the power to formulate special economic zone regulations, autonomous regulations, or separate regulations;
(5) Other clearly inappropriate circumstances.

第四章　处理　Chapter IV: Handling

第四十条　专门委员会、法制工作委员会在审查研究中发现法规、司法解释可能存在本办法第三章第三节规定情形的，可以与制定机关沟通，或者采取书面形式对制定机关进行询问。Article 40: Where a special committee or the Legislative Affairs Commission finds during its review or study that a regulation or judicial interpretation may have one of the circumstances provided for in Chapter III, Section 3 of these Measures, it may communicate with the enacting organ, or inquire of the enacting organ in writing.
第四十一条　经审查研究，认为法规、司法解释存在本办法第三章第三节规定情形，需要予以纠正的，在提出书面审查研究意见前，可以与制定机关沟通，要求制定机关及时修改或者废止。
经沟通，制定机关同意对法规、司法解释予以修改或者废止，并书面提出明确处理计划和时限的，可以不再向其提出书面审查研究意见，审查中止。
经沟通没有结果的，应当依照立法法第一百条规定，向制定机关提出书面审查研究意见，要求制定机关在两个月内提出书面处理意见。
对经省、自治区、直辖市人大常委会批准的法规提出的书面审查研究意见，同时抄送批准机关。		Article 41: Where, upon review or study, it is considered that a regulation or judicial interpretation has one of the circumstances provided for in Chapter III, Section 3 of these Measures and needs to be corrected, communication may be made with the enacting organ to require the enacting organ to promptly amend or repeal [the document], before a written review or study opinion is issued.
After communication, where the enacting organ agrees to amend or repeal the regulation or judicial interpretation, and puts forward a specific handling plan and time limit in writing, a written review or study opinion need not be issued, and the review is suspended.
Where the communication is not fruitful, a written review or study opinion shall be issued to the enacting organ in accordance with the provisions of Article 100 of the Legislation Law to require the enacting body to put forward a written handling opinion within two months.
Where a written review or study opinion is issued with respect to a regulation approved by the standing committee of the people’s congress of a province, autonomous region, or directly governed municipality, the approving organ is to be copied simultaneously.
第四十二条　制定机关收到审查研究意见后逾期未报送书面处理意见的，专门委员会、法制工作委员会可以向制定机关发函督促或者约谈制定机关有关负责人，要求制定机关限期报送处理意见。Article 42: Where an enacting organ fails to submit a written handling opinion within the specified period after receiving a review or study opinion, the special committee or the Legislative Affairs Commission may send a letter to the enacting organ to urge [the submission] or give a talking-to to the relevant person in charge at the enacting organ, and require the enacting organ to submit a handling opinion within a specific period.
第四十三条　制定机关按照书面审查研究意见对法规、司法解释进行修改、废止的，审查终止。Article 43: Where an enacting organ amends or repeals a regulation or judicial interpretation in accordance with the written review or study opinion, the review ends.
第四十四条　制定机关未按照书面审查研究意见对法规及时予以修改、废止的，专门委员会、法制工作委员会可以依法向委员长会议提出予以撤销的议案、建议，由委员长会议决定提请常委会会议审议。
制定机关未按照书面审查研究意见对司法解释及时予以修改、废止的，专门委员会、法制工作委员会可以依法提出要求最高人民法院或者最高人民检察院予以修改、废止的议案、建议，或者提出由全国人大常委会作出法律解释的议案、建议，由委员长会议决定提请常委会会议审议。		Article 44: Where an enacting body fails to promptly amend or repeal a regulation in accordance with the written review or study opinion, the special committee or the Legislative Affairs Commission may, in accordance with law, submit a bill or proposal to annul [the regulation] to the Council of Chairpersons, which is to decide whether to submit [the bill or proposal] to a session of the Standing Committee for deliberation.
Where an enacting body fails to promptly amend or repeal a judicial interpretation in accordance with the written review or study opinion, the special committee or the Legislative Affairs Commission may, in accordance with law, submit a bill or proposal to require the Supreme People’s Court or the Supreme People’s Procuratorate to amend or repeal [the judicial interpretation], or submit a bill or proposal that the NPC Standing Committee issues a legislative interpretation, and the Council of Chairpersons is to decide whether to submit [the bill or proposal] to a session of the Standing Committee for deliberation.
第四十五条　经审查研究，认为法规、司法解释不存在本办法第三章第三节规定问题，但存在其他倾向性问题或者可能造成理解歧义、执行不当等问题的，可以函告制定机关予以提醒，或者提出有关意见建议。Article 45: Where, upon review or study, it is considered that a regulation or judicial interpretation does not have any of the problems provided for in Chapter III, Section 3 of these Measures, but has other tendentious issues or may lead to problems such as ambiguities in understanding or improper enforcement, the enacting organ may be reminded in writing, or relevant opinions or suggestions may be raised.
第四十六条　专门委员会、法制工作委员会应当及时向制定机关了解有关法规、司法解释修改、废止或者停止施行的情况。Article 46: The special committees and the Legislative Affairs Commission shall promptly inquire the enacting organs of the status of amending, repealing, or terminating the implementation of the relevant regulations or judicial interpretations.
第四十七条　法规、司法解释审查研究工作结束后，有关审查研究资料应当及时归档保存。Article 47: After the review or study of regulations and judicial interpretations has ended, the relevant review or study materials shall be promptly archived and preserved.

第五章　反馈与公开　Chapter V: Feedback and Public Disclosure

第四十八条　国家机关对法规、司法解释提出审查要求的，在审查工作结束后，由常委会办公厅向提出审查要求的机关进行反馈。
国家机关、社会团体、企业事业组织以及公民对法规、司法解释提出审查建议的，在审查工作结束后，由法制工作委员会向提出审查建议的公民、组织进行反馈。		Article 48: Where state organs request review of regulations or judicial interpretations, the General Office of the Standing Committee is to provide feedback to the organs requesting review after review is completed.
Where state organs, social groups, enterprises and public institutions, and citizens recommend review of regulations or judicial interpretations, the Legislative Affairs Commission is to provide feedback to the citizens or organizations recommending review after review is completed.
第四十九条　反馈采取书面形式，必要时也可以采取口头形式。对通过备案审查信息平台提出的审查建议，可以通过备案审查信息平台进行反馈。Article 49: Feedback is to be in writing, and when necessary, may also be in oral form. For recommendations for review submitted through the Recording and Review Information Platform, feedback may be provided through the Recording and Review Information Platform.
第五十条　对不属于全国人大常委会备案审查范围的规范性文件提出的审查建议，法制工作委员会依照本办法规定移送有关机关研究处理的，可以在移送后向提出审查建议的公民、组织告知移送情况；不予移送的，可以告知提出审查建议的公民、组织直接向有权审查的机关提出审查建议。Article 50: Where the Legislative Affairs Commission refers recommendations for reviewing normative documents not within the scope of recording and review by the NPC Standing Committee to the relevant organs for study and handling, it may, after making the referrals, notify the citizens or organizations submitting the recommendations for review of information on the referrals; and where it does not make such referrals, it may notify the citizens or organizations submitting the recommendations for review that they [should] directly submit recommendations for review to the competent reviewing organs.
第五十一条　专门委员会、常委会工作机构应当将开展备案审查工作的情况以适当方式向社会公开。Article 51: The special committees and the working bodies of the Standing Committee shall disclose to the public their performance of recording and review in an appropriate manner.

第六章　报告工作　Chapter VI: Work Reports

第五十二条　法制工作委员会应当每年向全国人大常委会专项报告开展备案审查工作的情况，由常委会会议审议。
备案审查工作情况报告根据常委会组成人员的审议意见修改后，在全国人大常委会公报和中国人大网刊载。		Article 52: The Legislative Affairs Commission shall submit to the NPC Standing Committee annual reports on the performance of recording and review, to be deliberated at sessions of the Standing Committee.
The reports on the status of recording and review are to be published in the NPC Standing Committee Gazette and on the National People’s Congress website, after being revised based on the deliberation opinions of the constituent members of the Standing Committee.
第五十三条　专门委员会、常委会办公厅向法制工作委员会提供备案审查工作有关情况和材料，由法制工作委员会汇总草拟工作报告，经征询专门委员会、常委会办公厅意见后按规定上报。
备案审查工作情况报告的内容一般包括：接收备案的情况，开展依职权审查、依申请审查和专项审查的情况，对法规、司法解释纠正处理的情况，开展备案审查制度和能力建设的情况，根据备案审查衔接联动机制开展工作的情况，对地方人大常委会备案审查工作进行业务指导的情况，下一步工作建议、考虑和安排等。		Article 53: The special committees and the General Office of the Standing Committee are to provide the Legislative Affairs Commission with the relevant circumstances and materials on recording and review, and the Legislative Affairs Commission is to collect [the information] and draft the work reports and report them upwards after consulting with the special committees and the General Office of the Standing Committee.
The contents of the reports on the status of recording and review are to generally include: information on receiving recordings; information on conducting sua sponte review, review upon request, and targeted review; information on correcting and handling regulations and judicial interpretations; information on building the system and capacity of recording and review; information on carrying out work in accordance with the Recording and Review Connection and Linkage Mechanism; information on providing operational guidance on the recording and review by the standing committees of local people’s congresses; and recommendations, considerations, and plans for the next step.

第七章　附则　Chapter VII: Supplemental Provisions

第五十四条　对国务院的决定、命令和省、自治区、直辖市人大及其常委会的决议、决定以及最高人民法院、最高人民检察院的司法解释以外的其他规范性文件进行的审查，参照适用本办法有关规定。Article 54: The relevant provisions of these Measures are applicable by reference to the review of the decisions and orders of the State Council, the resolutions and decisions of the people’s congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions, and directly governed municipalities and their standing committees, as well as the normative documents of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate other than judicial interpretations.
第五十五条　地方各级人大常委会参照本办法对依法接受本级人大常委会监督的地方政府、监察委员会、人民法院、人民检察院等国家机关制定的有关规范性文件进行备案审查。Article 55: The standing committees of the various levels of local people’s congresses are to, with reference to these Measures, conduct recording and review of the relevant normative documents formulated by state organs such as local governments, supervision commissions, people’s court, and people’s procuratorates that are subject to oversight by the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the same level according to law.
第五十六条　对香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区依法报全国人大常委会备案的法律的备案审查，参照适用本办法。Article 56: These Measures are applicable by reference to the recording and review of the laws filed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region to the NPC Standing Committee for recording according to law.
第五十七条　本办法自通过之日起施行。 2005年12月16日十届全国人大常委会第四十次委员长会议修订、通过的《行政法规、地方性法规、自治条例和单行条例、经济特区法规备案审查工作程序》和《司法解释备案审查工作程序》同时废止。Article 57: These Measures take effect on the date of adoption. The Working Procedures for the Recording and Review of Administrative Regulations, Local Regulations, Autonomous Regulation and Separate Regulations, and Special Economic Zone Regulations and the Working Procedures for the Recording and Review of Judicial Interpretations, revised or adopted at the 40th Meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 10th NPC Standing Committee on December 16, 2005, are simultaneously repealed.