COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
The Consumer Legal Action Fund provides legal assistance to consumers with meritorious cases for the protection of consumer interests. The fund, with the council as its trustee, is administered by a board of administrators underpinned by a management committee with members appointed by the Government. Since its establishment in 1994, the fund has considered 50 groups of cases, with the number of applicants in each case ranging from one to more than 800.
On networking, the council is an executive and council member of the Consumers International (CI). The council's chief executive has just completed her term of office as President of the CI. The CI is a federation of 273 consumer organisations in 121 countries dedicated to the protection and promotion of consumer interests. The council also maintains regular contacts with its counterparts overseas and in the Mainland. During the year, 667 officials from various parts of the Mainland visited the council's office as part of their training programme and there were also visitors from other consumer organisations and international bodies.
Enforcement of Consumer Protection Legislation
The Customs and Excise Department carries out spot checks and investigations to ensure that toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied in Hong Kong are safe. It also has responsibilities in protecting consumers from fraudulent traders who offer goods of deceptive weights and measures or products made of gold and platinum that have deceptive markings. In 2001, the department carried out 3 561 spot checks and 1 125 investigations. It also organised talks for traders to promote their awareness of product safety.
In the area of consumer protection, the Government Laboratory assists the department in enforcing the product safety legislation. It conducted 28 530 tests during the year to determine whether or not various products complied with relevant safety standards or requirements. It also gave professional advice in the assessment of potential health and safety hazards posed by products that failed the tests. In the investigation of other potentially fraudulent trade practices, the Laboratory continued its role in assaying the fineness of gold and platinum articles, and verifying weights and measures.
Trade in Endangered Species
Imports, exports and possession of endangered species are regulated by the Animals. and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Licensing policy follows the CITES principles closely. Commercial imports and exports of highly endangered species are prohibited, and trade in less-endangered species is subject to licensing requirements.
The ordinance is administered by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), and enforced by both the AFCD and the Customs and Excise Department through inspections at entry points, markets, shops and restaurants. All suspected offences are investigated and prosecutions instituted if there is evidence of a breach. The ordinance provides for penalties up to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years. The departments are assisted in their work by the Government Laboratory, which during the year examined parts and products of endangered species, in particular those containing suspected bear gall bladder and musk grains.
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