Commerce and Industry 135
The council is an executive and council member of Consumers International, a federation of 250 consumer organisations in 115 countries and territories. The council's chief executive is a former president of the federation. The council also maintains regular contact with counterparts overseas and on the Mainland, and exchanges information, handles consumer complaints by tourists and considers initiatives to pursue wider consumer interests.
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 a responsibility to protect consumers from fraudulent traders who offer goods of deceptive weights and measures or products made of gold and platinum that have deceptive markings. In 2005, the department carried out 3 640 spot checks and 1 073 investigations.
The Government Laboratory provides support to the Customs and Excise Department in enforcing the consumer protection legislation. In 2005, the laboratory carried out 24 661 tests to determine whether or not various items including toys, children's products and consumer goods complied with safety standards. Weight determination of retail goods and on-site verification of traders' scales were carried out under the Weights and Measures Ordinance. More than 6 500 tests were also conducted to examine gold articles and other commodities under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Trade in Endangered Species
Imports, exports or 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 international trade in less endangered species is subject to licensing requirements.
The ordinance is administered by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and enforced by both the department and the Customs and Excise Department. It provides for penalties of up to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years. In 2005, a total of 24 632 licences and certificates were issued and 217 successful prosecutions were conducted.
The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council in April. The bill aims to streamline the provisions of the existing Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, and to improve the current licensing system and control regime.
Home Pages
Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau: www.citb.gov.hk (links to related departments and agencies)
Hong Kong Consumer Council: www.consumer.org.hk