MOFCOM Releases Provisions on the Procedures for Business Administrative Penalties

On May 12, the Ministry of Commerce (the "MOFCOM") released the Provisions on the Procedures for Business Administrative Penalties (the "Provisions"), effective as of July 1, 2012.

As clarified in the Provisions, where commerce authorities intend to impose administrative penalties, their subordinate departments shall impose such penalties for them according to the law and based on labor division. Each such department shall impose administrative penalties in the name of its supervisor commerce authority within the legitimate authorization of such supervisor authority. Each entrusted organization shall impose administrative penalties in the name of the entrusting commerce authority within the authorization of such entrustment, and shall not further entrust any other organization or individual to impose administrative penalties.

(Source: www.mofcom.gov.cn)