From May 2025 to January 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation launched a nationwide campaign to address significant public complaints regarding inaccurate utility metering and irregular billing practices for water, electricity, and gas services. The initiative involved unannounced inspections and follow-up reviews targeting violations such as the installation of meters without initial verification, improper price labeling, and failure to adhere to government-set pricing guidelines. Authorities adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward utility companies found guilty of overcharging, resulting in refunds totaling approximately 301 million yuan. During the operation, around 14,000 illegal cases in the utilities sector were investigated, with fines and confiscations amounting to about 235 million yuan. Moving forward, the administration will integrate metering and pricing oversight for residential utilities into routine supervision. It will conduct follow-up reviews to monitor the effectiveness of corrective actions and prevent the recurrence of violations. Efforts will also focus on improving regulatory frameworks, optimizing supervision measures, and enhancing policy communication and corporate compliance guidance to ensure orderly development within the utilities industry.
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