Abstract: This paper analyzes existing problems with national environmental quality standards, describes the principles of development of environmental quality standards, and compares related foreign standards. In order to improve the scientific and systematic nature and feasibility of national environment quality standards, four key common technical issues in the development of environmental quality standards were studied. These four are (1) classifications of the protected objects and designated use; (2) establishment of threshold limit values and interim targets; (3) selection of pollutants; and, (4) regional implemention and monitoring and assessment of environmental quality. The results show that different pollutants and limits should be established in view of the different protected objects or designated use on the basis of environmental criteria. The implication of the pollutants should be clarified. The threshold limit values and interim targets should be distinguished while determining the limits. The results also show that standards should be implemented in accordance with the dominant function of the region and watershed, and monitoring and assessment of environmental quality should be carried out.