A public hearing on draft rules to limit product packaging was held by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Tuesday. The draft rules prohibit the production and sales of products with too much packaging. Chen Lijun filed this story for us.

People are purchasing gift wraps at the supermarket.

If the draft regulation becomes law, products with more than three layers of packaging or those where the product accounts for less than forty-five percent of the entire package's volume would be banned. In addition, the cost of the packaging should not exceed fifteen percent of the product's price.

The draft would prohibit the production and sale of these products. Analysts say the move aims to conserve resources and protect the interests of consumers.

Shen Kui, the Deputy Director of Law Institute of Peking Univ., said, "Over-packaged products actually cause consumers to spend more money to buy these goods. The new rules will better protect consumers' interests."

Businesses that make or sell such products face fines of up to fifty thousand yuan. To ensure compliance, the draft would also force producers to maintain records for the packaging of their products.

The draft will be submitted to the State Council for approval soon.