REGISTRATION of about 100 new cars was refused in Shenzhen on Monday, the first day an environmental protection standard took effect.

Most were imported new models yet to be included in the "green vehicle list" published by the city's environmental protection bureau.

About 2,800 models, most of them imported, would need a further check before they could be covered by the list drawn up by state environmental protection authorities, an official said. The list now includes 30,000 car models conforming to the Europe II exhaust emission standard.

The rejected cars included some new models of Camry, Honda and BMW. They were rejected not because their exhaust emissions failed the environmental protection standard but because they had yet to be included in the approved list.

Car dealers and buyers are advised to consult www.szvecc.org.cn to see if their cars are covered by the list. If not, car manufacturers and dealers can apply to State environmental protection authorities for approval. The application will be processed within a month with no fees required.

The city's environmental protection bureau also promised to add the newly approved models within seven working days after approval from state environmental protection authorities.
 
(Shenzhen Daily August 5, 2004)