ENG-2003 — Page 171

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

service traceable to the International System of Units (SI). The SCL is a signatory to the Global Mutual Recognition Arrangement for National Measurement Institutes. and its services are internationally recognised and accepted.

The Product Standards Information Bureau (PSIB) offers a comprehensive range of standards information services. Apart from its reference standards library which is open to the public, the PSIB also provides a free advisory service on standards, and a standards sales service. It is the Enquiry Point and Notification Authority for Hong Kong under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. The PSIB also coordinates Hong Kong's input to APEC on standards and conformance matters.

The Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) provides a comprehensive range of accreditation services for conformity assessment bodies including testing and calibration laboratories, certification and inspection bodies. In 2003, accreditation services were expanded to Chinese medicine testing and certification of construction products. The HKAS is a signatory to the Mutual Recognition Arrangements of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. It has also concluded a bilateral Mutual Recognition Arrangement with the multilateral agreement group of the European Cooperation for Accreditation. As a result of these arrangements, the test and calibration reports issued by HKAS-accredited laboratories are recognised by 46 other accreditation bodies world-wide.

Human Resources, Technical Education and Industrial Training

Success in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century depends heavily upon the availability of talent and skilled manpower at all levels.

Higher-level education and training are provided by the tertiary education institutions. The Vocational Training Council (VTC) provides technical education and industrial training. In addition, it administers the New Technology Training Scheme which provides financial assistance to employers for training their staff in new technologies and those technologies that are not yet widely applied locally but the application of which will significantly benefit Hong Kong. The Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) runs two training centres for the clothing and footwear industries. The Trade and Industry Department is represented on the VTC and the CITA whereas the ITC is represented on the VTC committees concerned with the New Technology Training Scheme

The Government also implements the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. The scheme aims at attracting talented persons and professionals from the Mainland to work in Hong Kong in order to meet local manpower needs and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the globalised market.

Consumer Protection

Consumer Council

The Consumer Council is a statutory body established in April 1974 for protecting and promoting the interests of consumers of goods and services and purchasers of immovable property. The council comprises a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and 20 members appointed by the Government from a wide spectrum of the community. It forms committees and working groups to deal with specific consumer protection

131