TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Government Laboratory
The Government Laboratory provides a broad spectrum of analytical and technical advisory services for other government departments in the areas of consumer protection, trade control of strategic commodities, and trade control of endangered species. It has actively provided technical input for the drafting and review of the related ordinances and it also carries out statutory duties under these ordinances.
The laboratory is responsible for providing technical support in the evaluation of product safety and the investigation of fraudulent trade practices. Regarding product safety, a total of 25 547 safety compliance tests have been conducted under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance and the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance. Technical advice on safety standards for consumer goods such as PU- foam products has also been provided for enforcing the related safety regulations. As for the investigation of fraudulent trade practices, precious commodities such as shark's fin and swiftlets nests are regularly submitted for certification of their authenticity. Fineness determination of gold and platinum articles and the verification of weighing devices are also conducted on a routine basis.
The laboratory regularly analyses samples submitted from the Customs and Excise Department for classification under the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations. It also entertains requests from the Trade Department for technical advice regarding applications for import/export licence of strategic commodities. It has participated actively in the preparation for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the HKSAR. Apart from rendering technical advice during the drafting of the Chemical Weapons (Convention) Bill, it has also been charged with the responsibility of providing technical expertise required for the enforcement of the bill upon its enactment.
In 1999, analytical support was provided to the Agricultural and Fisheries Department under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance. Samples routinely analysed included suspected bear gall bladder and musk grains. During the year, the laboratory successfully assisted the department in the prosecution of a trader involved in trading of shatoosh shawls by positively identifying the hairs of the endangered Tibetan antelopes constituting the shawls.
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