BEIJING -- The Ministry of Environmental Protection on Tuesday issued a stricter regulation on light vehicle emissions, the fifth of its kind in the country, which will be fully implemented nationwide on January 1, 2018.

Beijing now has a supply of low-sulphur fuel and is qualified to implement the new regulation. The State Council, China's Cabinet, has approved Beijing to carry out the new standard immediately after its release.

Cities with such fuel supply are encouraged to implement the fifth standard in advance, the ministry said.

The fifth standard is equivalent to the current regulation on light vehicle emissions in Europe, according to the ministry.

Compared to the fourth standard, the fifth further lifts emission control requirements, including stricter control for nitric oxide and particulate matters, and adds a new indicator of pollutant control.

New vehicles must meet the fifth standard with tougher tests, such as doubling the mileage when testing for automotive emissions.