XN000022-1985-05-31 — Page 11

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1985

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BILL TO ENSURE SAFE TRANSPORT BY AIR OF DANGEROUS GOODS

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A DANGEROUS GOODS (CONSIGNMENT BY AIR) (SAFETY) BILL 1985 WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKING TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION WITH POWERS TO ENSURE THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR.

THE BILL WILL ALSO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR THE PREPARATION AND PACKAGING OF SUCH DANGEROUS GOODS. THESE WILL INCLUDE GOODS WHICH PRESENT ANY KIND OF HAZARD TO AN AIRCRAFT, ITS OCCUPANTS OR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO HANDLE THE GOODS.

THE SUBSTANCES TO BE COVERED INCLUDE EXPLOSIVES, COMPRESSED GASES, FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, POISONS, INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES, RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AND CORROSIVES.

THE BILL, TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 12 BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, AIMS TO REFLECT RECENT INTERNATIONAL CONCERN ABOUT SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE CARRIAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS IN AIRCRAFT.

AS A RESULT OF THIS CONCERN, THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION RECENTLY INTRODUCED +TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SAFE TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR+.

THESE +TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS+ INTRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS WHICH SPECIFY THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET IF DANGEROUS GOODS ARE TO BE CARRIED IN AN AIRCRAFT.

MAXIMUM QUANTITIES, THE MANNER IN WHICH DANGEROUS GOODS ARE TO BE PACKED AND THE REQUIRED PACKAGE LABELS ARE ALL SPECIFIED INDIVIDUALLY FOR THOUSANDS OF SUBSTANCES.

THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL REQUIRE THAT ALL DANGEROUS GOODS IN HONG KONG INTENDED FOR CARRIAGE BY AIR BE PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS.

OFFENCES UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD INCUR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $500 000 AND-OR UP TO TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT.

IT IS INTENDED THAT IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVES THE BILL, THE LEGISLATION WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1, 1985.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE BILL MAY BE SENT TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

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