The new standard, known as "China 5," sets the sulfur content for gasoline at no more than 10 parts per million, a reduction from the fourth-phase standard of 50 ppm.
The new gasoline will be available nation-wide in 2018.
Ding Jizhu directs an industrial standards department under the Standardization Administration.
"Given that the upgrade of technology and equipment needs time, and also different regions have their own situations, there will be a transitional period to implement the standard till the end of 2017."
Ding estimates the new standard will cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 300-thousand metric tons annually.
The announcement follows severe smog that's affected a wide area of the country since the beginning of the year and complaints from the public about air
