Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1 These Procedures are established for the proper storage, management and usage of lunar samples for scientific research and social benefits.
Article 2 The lunar samples refer to the materials collected on and below the surface of the Moon through China's lunar exploration program and the lunar materials obtained by China National Space Administration (CNSA) through other means.
Article 3 The present Procedures shall be applicable to the overall process of unsealing, classification, preparation, documentation, storage, application, distribution, transportation, use, return, dispositioning, management of information, and documentation of results.
Chapter 2 Responsibilities
Article 4 China National Space Administration is the management authority of lunar samples, with main responsibilities that include:
(1) Formulating policies and regulations for the management of lunar samples;
(2) Supervising application and commercialization of scientific research achievements; and
(3) International cooperation on lunar sample studies.
Article 5 CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center (hereinafter referred to as LESEC) has been entrusted to carry out the management of lunar samples, with main responsibilities including:
(1) Reviewing Standards and Operating Procedures formulated by the curatorial agencies;
(2) Establishing an expert committee on lunar samples;
(3) Reviewing applications for requesting lunar samples;
(4) Supervising and coordinating the process of unsealing, classification, preparation, documentation, storage, application, distribution, transportation, use, return, dispositioning, management of information, and documentation of results.;
(5) Publishing dynamic information on lunar samples on a regular basis through data information platform; and
(6) Implementing the monitoring of science returns and its applications, and preparing and publishing a list of publications and achievements.
Article 6 The lunar samples are stored at CNSA and its designated curatorial agencies. The main curatorial agency is the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a backup curatorial agency is also established.
The curatorial agencies, under the supervision of CNSA and specific guidance of LESEC, shall provide information, from preliminary examination, on lunar samples in a timely manner, and report the curation and distribution of lunar samples to LESEC on a regular basis. Any emergency case such as lunar sample contamination and damage shall be reported to LESEC immediately.
The curatorial agencies shall adopt the following procedures for sample handling.
Article 7 The main responsibilities of the main curatorial agency include:
(1) Formulating standards and Operating Procedures related to lunar samples;
(2) Implementing the unsealing, classification, preparation, documentation, and storage of lunar samples;
(3) Implementing the distribution, return and dispositioning of lunar samples in accordance with the procedures;
(4) Building and maintaining the lunar sample storage facilities, to make sure that these facilities have the capability to carry out the necessary work; and
(5) Establishing a lunar sample curation catalog, thus to secure the information safety of the lunar samples.
Article 8 The main responsibilities of the backup curatorial agency include:
(1) Participating in the formulation of the standards and operating procedures related to lunar samples;
(2) Building and maintaining storage facilities; and
(3) Establishing a lunar sample information catalog to guarantee the security of lunar samples stored.
Article 9 Requesting of lunar samples shall be made by a legal person (hereinafter referred to as the requesting subject), and the main responsibilities of the requesting subject shall include:
(1) Conducting scientific research or socially beneficial activities in accordance with the relevant content of approval and agreement;
(2) Responsible for the security of the lunar samples, and bearing responsibilities for their damage, contamination, or loss due to operational and storage negligence;
(3) A dedicated person shall be appointed to be responsible for the safe use of the sample. Clear instructions shall be given to the person or persons responsible for sample handling; and
(4) Reporting in the scientific research results of lunar samples to LESEC.