To reduce the impact of cooking oil fumes from restaurants on residential environments and public health at the source, the Taoyuan City Government is strengthening its regulatory framework for oil fume control in the food service industry. The Department of Environmental Protection of the Taoyuan City Government (TYDEP) officially revised and announced the relevant regulations on January 13, 2026, upgrading management requirements from simply “having control equipment installed” to a comprehensive model that requires equipment to be effectively installed, properly operated, and regularly maintained. The new rules introduce quantified performance standards for fume capture efficiency and mandatory maintenance records, with a one-year guidance period before full enforcement begins on January 1, 2027.
TYDEP Director-General Yan Ji-Liang noted that Taoyuan launched the “Clean Dining, Clear Air” initiative in 2025, under which 536 restaurants received guidance on oil fume control, and 392 of them completed the installation of control equipment, achieving an overall installation rate of 73.1%. During the same period, oil fume complaints decreased by 5.3% compared with the previous year. These results indicate that the effectiveness of equipment operation and proper use are key factors in reducing oil fume complaints.
Director-General Yan further explained that under previous regulations, restaurants were only required to install fume capture or exhaust equipment, without clearly defined performance benchmarks. This resulted in cases where equipment was installed but failed to deliver effective control. The core of the regulatory revision lies in quantified standards and integration into daily management, requiring not only that equipment meet actual capture efficiency but also that businesses ensure sustained performance through routine maintenance and operation records.
According to TYDEP, the new regulations primarily apply to restaurants with a higher potential impact from oil fumes. This includes establishments located in residential zones with 30 or more seats or a business area of 100 square meters or more, and those in commercial zones with 100 or more seats or a business area of 200 square meters or more, as well as businesses found—through verified public complaints—to be emitting oil fumes or odors. Operators that fail to install or properly maintain oil fume control equipment in accordance with the regulations will be ordered to make improvements within a specified timeframe under Article 5 of the Taoyuan City Self-Government Ordinance on the Management of Air Pollution Control Facilities for the Food Service Industry. Failure to comply may result in fines ranging from NT$5,000 to NT$50,000, with penalties imposed consecutively for repeated violations.
TYDEP further explained that under the revised requirements, canopy hoods must achieve a minimum capture air velocity of 0.5 meters per second, with the capture surface extending at least 15 centimeters outward and positioned no more than 120 centimeters above the upper edge of cooking equipment. For side-draft hoods, the minimum capture air velocity must reach 3 meters per second, with a horizontal distance of no more than 45 centimeters, and the capture area must cover at least 30% of the cooking zone. In addition, regardless of whether electrostatic precipitators, wet scrubbers, activated carbon systems, or ozone treatment systems are used, all equipment must be cleaned or maintained at least once per month, with detailed records kept of operational parameters and consumable replacements for inspection and verification by environmental authorities.
TYDEP emphasized that oil fume control in the food service industry is not only a regulatory requirement but also directly affects employees’ working conditions and the quality of life of nearby residents. To help businesses transition smoothly to the new system, TYDEP will intensify outreach through food service industry associations during the one-year guidance period before enforcement. The department will also identify affected establishments and guide equipment installation and maintenance, assisting operators in achieving full compliance and creating a more livable Taoyuan.