XN000022-1989-04-14 — Page 2

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FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1989

PROPOSED CONTROLS ON OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

THE GOVERNMENT IS DRAWING UP LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE IMPORT EXPORT OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC'S) AND HALONS WHICH ARE REGARDED AS OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES.

AND

THE

ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION

DEPARTMENT'S

PRINCIPAL

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR FRANKLIN CHUNG, SAID THIS AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY DAH CHONG HONG (ENGINEERING) LTD. THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.

ME CHUNG SAID THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 WOULD PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR A REGISTRATION AND LICENSING SYSTEM TO RESTRICT THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CFC'8 AND HALONS FOR USE IN HONG KONG.

THE BILL WILL REQUIRE ALL IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS TO BR REGISTERED WITH THE AUTHORITY.

A REGISTERED IMPORTER ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF IMPORT PERIOD. LICENCES ISSUED WILL BE IMPORTER.

WILL BB INFORMED OF THE MAXIMUM AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH 12-MONTH BASED ON THE QUOTAS ASSIGNED TO THE

EACH SHIPMENT OF IMPORT OR EXPORT WILL REQUIRE A

LICENCE.

SEPARATE

LICENCES MAY BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE PARTY TO ANOTHER 80 THAT ANY PARTY WHO HAS AN INADEQUATE IMPORT QUOTA MAY OBTAIN A LICENCE FROM THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE MARKET.

THE BILL WILL CONTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS SUCH AS PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE, POWERS OF INVESTIGATION BY THE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AND APPEALS AGAINST THE AUTHORITY'S DECISION REGARDING ISSUE OF LICENCES.

OR

CONTAINING

IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE REGULATION-MAKING POWERS FOR CONTROL PROHIBITION OF MANUFACTURE, IMPORT OR EXPORT OF PRODUCTS OR MADE WITH CFC'S AND HALONS.

MR CHUNG SAID THROUGH THIS, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.

TO FULFIL

IN JANUARY 1987, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER. IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE UNITED KINGDOM, ON BEHALF OF HONG

KONG, RATIFIED THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER.

REDUCE

THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTS THE EARTH BY FILTERING ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS FROM THE SUN. OZONE DEPLETION WOULD AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH, CROP YIELDS, CHANGE CLIMATE AND AFFECT ALL LIFE ON EARTH.

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