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XCR (80)219
5
2
Regulation 2(b) amends regulation 177D(2) of the principal regulations to permit freight containers carrying certain dangerous goods (Category 2, Category 5 classes 1 and 2 plus certain others specified) to be stored at approved container terminals for a period not exceeding 72 hours.
6
Regulation 2(c) amends regulation 177D(3) to permit freight containers carrying dangerous goods, other than those to which regulation 177D(2) applies, to remain at an approved container terminal for a period not exceeding 21 days, increasing the maximum period of storage from the present limit of 72 hours.
7
Regulation 3 amends regulation 177F to permit freight containers carrying a mix of dangerous and other goods to be unpacked within 72 hours of landing at a terminal, and not immediately on landing as is currently the case.
8
The new regulation 177FA in regulation 4 requires container terminal operators to maintain a record of details of dangerous goods passing through the terminals and to produce these records at the request of the Authority, who will be the Director of Fire Services (regulation 6).
Implementation
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It is proposed that the Dangerous Goods (General) (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations should come into effect on a date which would allow terminal operators a period of about one month to introduce a system of record keeping as required under new regulation 177 FA. This period is considered by the industry to be adequate.
Consultation
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The Dangerous Goods Standing Committee, whose members comprise representatives of the shipping, container and oil industries, has been consulted and has expressed its support for the proposed amendment to the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations.
Public Relations
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The proposals are likely to be welcomed by the commercial sector as the limitation on the storage offreight containers containing dangerous goods is considered to be detrimental to normal commercial processes. The proposals will enhance Hong Kong's position as a major
G.S. 84
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