The revised Environmental Protection Law that takes effect on Thursday imposes more severe fines and even comes with the possibility of criminal charges against polluters.

In addition, supplementary regulations are on the way to make implementation more effective, the top environmental watchdog said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has listed 54 projects to support the implementation of the new law. Five regulations covering the release of information and daily fines for pollution were released in 2014, said Zhai Qing, deputy minister.