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PLUG AND ADAPTOR SAFETY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1994
FOLLOWING IS A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN AND A REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
QUESTION: UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE PLUGS AND ADAPTORS (SAFETY)
REGULATION, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON 23 MARCH 1995, A PLUG OR AN ADAPTOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF SALE OR HIRE SHALL CONFORM TO THE SAFETY STANDARDS STIPULATED IN SCHEDULE 2 OF THE REGULATION. THE MAJORITY OF THESE STANDARDS FOLLOW THOSE THAT ARE ADOPTED IN BRITAIN. TO COMPLY WITH THIS REGULATION, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS HAVE TO REFIT PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED LOCALLY OR IMPORTED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH DO NOT MEET THE BRITISH STANDARDS, RESULTING IN HIGHER COSTS WHICH CAN LEAD TO HIGHER PRICES. IN VIEW OF THIS, WILL THE GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL :
(A) OF THE REASONS WHY MOST OF THE STANDARDS STIPULATED IN THE REGULATION FOLLOW BRITISH SAFETY STANDARDS, RATHER THAN THOSE OF OTHER COUNTRIES;
(B)
AND
WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES IN DRAWING UP A SET OF STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG ?
REPLY:
MR PRESIDENT,
THE PLUGS AND ADAPTORS (SAFETY) REGULATION WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THE STANDARD OF SAFETY OF PLUGS AND ADAPTORS ON THE MARKET IN HONG KONG. TESTS CARRIED OUT BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL SHOWED THAT THE MAJORITY OF PLUGS AND ADAPTORS AVAILABLE LOCALLY FAILED TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS IN RESPECT OF SUCH FACTORS AS RESISTANCE TO OVERHEATING, INSULATION, BREAKAGE AND DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY, ETC.
FOR
THE REGULATION LAYS DOWN COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ALL AREAS OF PLUG DESIGN TO A SPECIFICATION THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE SOCKET SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN HONG KONG. SOME OF THESE STANDARDS HAPPEN TO BE THOSE DRAWN UP IN BRITAIN, BUT IN FACT THESE STANDARDS ARE NOW ADOPTED BY MANY COUNTRIES, AND THEY HAVE ACTUALLY STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.
/WHILST OTHER
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