XN000022-1994-10-12 — Page 25

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1994

THE

SUCH

MAIN

AND

OTHER

IT

WITH

THE

THE COMPANIES REPORT SUMMARISES

REGISTRY'S

FUNCTIONS

RECEIVE AS TO INCORPORATE AND STRIKE-OFF COMPANIES, MAINTAIN INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY COMPANIES AND

PUBLIC. ORGANISATIONS, AND TO MAKE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE ALSO PLAYS AN

ROLE IN ENFORCEMENT

ENSURING COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMPANIES AND OTHER ORDINANCES.

NUMBER

OF

OF

NEW

1.25

MILLION

SEARCHES

AS AT END OF THE 1993/94 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE TOTAL

ON THE COMPANIES

THE WAS ABOUT 430,000; REGISTER

NUMBER

INCORPORATIONS

A TOTAL OF DURING THE YEAR WAS 59,784. DOCUMENTS WERE

MILLION RECEIVED FOR FILING AND AROUND 1.9 CONDUCTED DURING 93/94.

NEW

SERVICES WHICH

THE REGISTRAR

OF

COMPANIES

EXPECTS

ΤΟ

LISTED WITH

INTRODUCE DURING 1994/95 INCLUDE AN INDEX OF THE DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES AS WELL AS A COMPUTERISED INDEX OF ALL DOCUMENTS FILED THE REGISTRY.

LEGCO PASSES FOUR CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS

*

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, MOVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE THIRD READING OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL AND UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL.

IN

"THE PASSAGE OF FOUR BILLS REPRESENTS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN OUR DRIVE FOR GREATER CONSUMER PROTECTION, AS THE GOVERNOR HAD PLEDGED HIS 1993 POLICY ADDRESS, MRS IP SAID.

||

"THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL SEEKS TO IMPOSE A STATUTORY DUTY ON MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS THEY SUPPLY FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION ARE SAFE," SHE SAID.

"IT CREATES A GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT AND PROVIDES FOR JUDICIAL GUIDELINES IN DETERMINING THE REASONABLE LEVEL OF SAFETY REQUIRED OF DIFFERENT CONSUMER GOODS. THESE GUIDELINES INCLUDE THE MANNER IN WHICH THE CONSUMER GOODS ARE PRESENTED; THE USE OF ANY MARKS, INSTRUCTIONS OR WARNINGS FOR THEIR CONSUMPTION; THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY RELEVANT ESTABLISHED OVERSEAS SAFETY STANDARDS; AND THE EXISTENCE OF ANY MEANS TO MAKE THEM SAFER.

1г

THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE LEGISLATION. HE WILL BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE NOTICES TO SUPPLIERS REQUIRING THEM TO WARN CONSUMERS OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS, AND TO RECALL OR PROHIBIT THE SUPPLY OF UNSAFE CONSUMER GOODS.

"TO

FACILITATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT APPROACH STIPULATED IN THE ORDINANCE, SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS MAY THE PRODUCTS STANDARD INFORMATION BUREAU OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR INFORMATION ON ESTABLISHED OVERSEAS SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO THE CONSUMER GOODS THEY SUPPLY, SAID MRS IP.

/"SUPPLIERS MAY