ENG-1981 — Page 64

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

35

market are imported from China. In June, the council attended the 10th World Congress of the International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU), which re-elected the council as one of its council members, and its executive director as Chairman of the Consumer Education Committee.

Trade in Endangered Species

The Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, which relates to the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), has been in force since 1976. Under the ordinance licences are issued, as appropriate, to allow legitimate possession of and trade in scheduled specimens to proceed. However, seizures and prosecutions have been brought to court when sufficient evidence exists to prove that the ordinance has been contravened.

Metrication

In the field of metrication, the government's objective is the progressive adoption of the International System of Units (SI) in those areas for which it is responsible, and the positive encouragement of the use of metric units by the private sector. The Metrication Ordinance, enacted in 1976, provides for the eventual replacement of non-metric units by SI in all legislation in Hong Kong.

A Metrication Committee, with an unofficial chairman and consisting of government officials and representatives of industry, commerce, management and consumer affairs, was appointed by the Governor in January, 1978. The committee is the focal point of liaison on all matters concerning metrication, and it advises and encourages various groups within the private sector in the framing of their programmes for metrication. In the intervening period there has been a generally increased public awareness of the topic and progress has been made in the adoption of SI particularly within government and in specific areas of the private sector.

In the public sector postal services were metricated with effect from August 5, 1980; Public Works Department, Urban Services Department and Rating and Valuation Depart- ment and Education Department now use metric units exclusively and all other depart- ments are well advanced in their implementation programmes. In the private sector the plastics industry set up a programme for metric conversion commencing in April 1981 and is scheduled for completion by 1983; metric sales of petrol and petroleum products took place in 1981, sales of consumer goods at wholesale level are almost entirely in metric units and adoption of metric units at retail level is becoming more widespread.

A continuing effort was made in the fields of publicity and public education. Activities included poster campaigns, a television commercial and educational programme, and the publication of leaflets, school quizzes, metric games and sports events.

Trade Marks and Patents

Trade Marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, which is based on the United kingdom Trade Marks Act 1938. The procedure is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free from the Trade Marks Registry, Registrar General's Department. Every mark, even if already registered in Britain or any other country, must satisfy all the requirements of the Hong Kong Trade Marks Ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1981, 6 140 applications were received and 2 530, including many made in previous years, were accepted and allowed to be advertised. A total of 2 620 marks were registered. The principal countries of origin were: