Abstract: Pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) system is a worldwide important chemical environmental management system, which plays a significant role in promoting environmental safety management of chemicals, corporate environmental information disclosure, and pollution reduction. Although China has carried out related pilot projects, the authentic PRTR system has not been established. Drawing on international experience to establish China's PRTR system is crucial for making up the shortcomings of the environmental management of toxic and hazardous chemicals and building a modern environmental management system with multi-party governance. In this study, seven large-scale and relatively complete PRTR systems in the world are selected as the research objects, and two specific chemicals, mercury, mercury-containing compounds and benzene, are selected, and their core technical elements are horizontally compared. The results showed that the research objects had the following common points: according to a set of industrial classification system, defined the scope of the industry sectors covered, compiled a list of classified chemicals, and set specific reporting thresholds for different chemicals; and the differences lie in: the chemicals covered and the classification methods, characterization methods of reporting thresholds, and different reporting thresholds for the same specific chemical. Based on the results and summarized international experience, the article puts forward several suggestions for establishing a PRTR system in China: (1) Develop a complete PRTR core technology system, including defining the scope of covered industry sectors in accordance with the Industrial Classification for National Economic Activities, refer to the Canadian and Mexican PRTR systems to establish a list of classified chemicals and set chemical report thresholds in combination of emission thresholds, the manufacturing or processing and otherwise use (MPO) thresholds, and enterprise scale thresholds. (2) Gradually promote the establishment of the PRTR system from the aspects of legal policies, social awareness and pilot practices. (3) Strengthen international exchanges and cooperation with U.S., Canada, EU, UNCEC, OECD, etc., to optimize the top-level design of China's PRTR system and strengthen its international normative.