China plans to end its "one size fits all" approach to fighting pollution, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Monday, as it tries to devise more nuanced policies that match local conditions and minimize economic disruption, according to Reuters.

The failure to take heed of local conditions will be regarded as a form of bureaucratic thinking and officials will be held responsible for any serious problems that arise, the ministry said in a notice.

China imposed blanket restrictions on traffic, coal use and industrial activity throughout the smog-prone north last year as it raced to meet its air quality targets.

In some cities, industrial sectors like steel were forced to shut down as much as 50 percent of their total production capacity to limit smog build-ups in the region, and many firms complained that Beijing's failure to take account of local conditions had made it impossible to fulfill client orders.

The new measures will ban the use of blanket production suspensions on industrial enterprises that are already complying with environmental requirements. Firms that have not met those requirements will also be subject to more targeted rectification measures and punishments, the ministry said.

While China met its 2013-2017 air quality targets, ministry officials have said that a more scientific, city-by-city approach will be required over the next few years to make further improvements.