XN000022-1986-05-15 — Page 11

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1996

TRADERS TO BE CONSULTED ON NEW ELECTRICITY BILL

******

THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CIRCULATE A DRAFT CONSULTATION PAPER TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES FOR COMMENTS IN PREPARATION FOR A PROPOSED BILL ON THE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRIC TRADE ASSOCIATION TODAY (THURSDAY).

+WHILE MUCH CAN BE ACHIEVED BY SELF-REGULATION, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SET DOWN A LEGISLATIVE FRAME-WORK TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY CONTROLS ARE FOLLOWED, MR OSBORNE SAID.

+WITH THIS IN MIND THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY PROMULGATING THE NEW ELECTRICITY BILL.

+ AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION HAS PROGRESSED SMOOTHLY AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SHORTLY CIRCULATE TO ALL PARTIES FOR COMMENTS, INCLUDING YOUR ASSOCIATION, A DRAFT CONSULTATION PAPER WHICH SETS OUT IN DETAIL THE PROPOSED SCOPE, PRINCIPLES, AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.+

MR OSBORNE SAID IT WAS WORTH REPEATING AN ASSURANCE GIVEN BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, IN MARCH THAT THE PROPOSED BILL WOULD STRIKE A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN CONSUMER SAFETY AND THE AVOIDANCE OF UNDUE INTERFERENCE WITH TRADE AND INDUSTRY.

MR OSBORNE SAID ONE PARTICULAR SAFETY PROBLEM WAS THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF PLUGS ON SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, PARTICULARLY DOMESTIC APPLIANCES, WITH SOCKET OUTLETS IN HONG KONG,

HE APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION TO ENSURE THAT PRODUCTS SOLD HERE WERE FITTED WITH GOOD QUALITY PLUGS OR ADAPTORS SUITABLE FOR LOCAL USE.

THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD BE PLEASED TO PROVIDE ANY TECHNICAL ADVICE THE ASSOCIATION MAY REQUIRE, HE ADDED.

/11