TRADE AND INDUSTRY
The enforcement programmes are aimed at upholding the integrity of these systems for protecting and facilitating legitimate trade and industry, which is vital to the well- being of Hong Kong. The branch works closely with the Trade Department to combat false declarations of origin and values of goods, illegal transshipment of textiles and illicit trade in strategic commodities. This is done through factory and consignment inspections, investigations and prosecutions. In 1998, the branch carried out 79 161 factory and consignment inspections and 3 441 investigations. It successfully prosecuted 1803 offenders, resulting in the imposition of fines amounting to $41.3 million.
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To strengthen the enforcement measures to combat illegal transshipment of textiles, the branch carries out factory audit checks and consignment and factory inspections. It operates a monetary reward scheme to elicit information about textiles origin fraud.
The branch monitors the stock of reserved commodities such as rice and frozen meat to ensure that there is always an adequate supply of essential foodstuffs in Hong Kong at reasonably stable prices.
Consumer Protection
The branch also enforces consumer protection legislation relating to the safety of toys and children's products, the quality of consumer goods, the integrity of weights and measures, and the marking of precious metals. The branch carries out spot checks. and investigations to ensure the toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied in Hong Kong are safe. It also has responsibilities to protect consumers from fraudulent or unfair trading practices related to quantities of goods and the fineness of gold and platinum articles. In 1998, it carried out 3 366 spot checks and 1 063 investigations.
Strategic Commodities
The department has a responsibility to prevent the HKSAR from being used as a conduit for proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It works closely with the Trade Department and other agencies to monitor the inflow and outflow of strategic commodities and to detect the provision of services used for the development and production of weapons of mass destruction. In 1998, the department investigated 198 cases of unlicensed import and export of strategic commodities and prosecuted 151 offenders, resulting in fines amounting to $3 million. Goods valued at $4.4 million. were also seized and confiscated.
Intellectual Property
The department is responsible for enforcing legislation for the protection of intellectual property rights on copyright and trademarks. It investigates complaints and takes action against the manufacturing, distribution, sale and import and export of goods which infringe intellectual property rights.
Following the amendment of the Import and Export Ordinance in late 1997 to impose licensing control on the import and export of optical disc manufacturing and replication equipment, the Prevention of Copyright Piracy Ordinance was enacted in May to make registration of optical disc manufacturers in Hong Kong compulsory.
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