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Commerce and Industry
In 2014, the council completed 43 product tests, 25 survey projects and 27 in-depth studies. The council publishes its findings and disseminates practical consumer advice in its monthly magazine, CHOICE.
In 2014, the council received 31,048 consumer complaints and 104,559 consumer enquiries.
2014 marked the 40th anniversary of the council's establishment. The council continued to conduct various activities to raise awareness of consumer rights. It also maintained close contact with its overseas and Mainland counterparts, and collaborated with them in promoting and protecting consumer interests (including through the Cross-Strait Symposium on Consumer Protection conducted in April 2014).
Enforcement of Consumer Protection Legislation
The Customs and Excise Department enforces the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, and the Weights and Measures Ordinance.
In July 2014, the Toys and Children's Products Safety (Additional Safety Standards or Requirements) Regulation commenced operation. It controls the concentration limits of six types of phthalates in certain toys and children's products.
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, that the quantity of goods supplied in the course of trade by weight and other measures is accurate, and to guard against misstatements and unfair trade practices in respect of goods and services. In 2014, the department carried out 9,041 spot checks and concluded 2,100 investigations.
The Government Laboratory provides analytical and advisory services to the Customs and Excise Department in the enforcement of consumer protection legislation. In 2014, the laboratory carried out 34,351 tests to check the compliance of toys, children's products and consumer goods with relevant safety standards, and to determine the weight of retailed goods. Where necessary, it conducted on-site investigations in support of the enforcement of the Weights and Measures Ordinance. The laboratory also carried out 4,608 tests to examine the authenticity of commodities and the correctness of trade descriptions in relation to investigations under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Trade in Endangered Species
The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It regulates the import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea or possession of endangered species. The commercial import, export and re-export of highly endangered species are prohibited, and international trade in less endangered species is subject to licensing requirements.
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