Unilever China and the China branch of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., the only two foreign-funded companies selected for a random environmental inspection by China earlier this year were found to have discharged wastewater higher than legal limits.

"We are surprised to find both companies had environmental pollution problems since they were the only two foreign companies selected at random for the inspection," said Ren Longjiang, an official with the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).

"Environmental pollution caused by some foreign-funded companies has come to the attention of SEPA and we will strengthen our supervision," Ren said.

On May 24, a SEPA inspection team found Unilever China in Hefei, Anhui Province, part of the multinational group that produces soap, shampoo and other cleaners, had discharged wastewater with a chemical oxygen demand (COD), a measure of organic pollutants, of 379 mg per litre, higher than the legal limit of 330 mg/L.

The company was fined 100,000 yuan and ordered to reduce its production so as to discharge less wastewater. Unilever has also paid fees of 47,136 yuan for excessive discharges.

It also improved its wastewater treatment and installed the COD detectors, which are awaiting for final examination by the SEPA's special inspection team.

During the same inspection, the China branch of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., also located in Hefei, was found to have discharged wastewater with PH values -- the measure of acidity of alkalinity content -- exceeding the legal limit.

"Every company is equal before China's environmental protection regulations, and anyone who violates regulations must shoulder their responsibilities," said the SEPA official Ren Longjiang.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)