BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A draft amendment to the Environmental Protection Tax Law was submitted for review on Monday to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

The draft amendment brings all volatile organic compounds within the scope of the environmental protection tax levy, as part of efforts to strengthen control over such compounds.

Under the current law, only 18 volatile organic compounds, including benzene and formaldehyde, are subject to this tax.

To improve air quality and enhance environmental protection, it is necessary to amend the Environmental Protection Tax Law to include the remaining volatile organic compounds in the scope of this tax, according to Finance Minister Lan Fo'an.

Volatile organic compounds are organic compounds that play a role in atmospheric photochemical reactions. They are a major source of PM2.5 and ozone and can lead to air pollution problems such as haze and photochemical smog. ■