ENG-2006 — Page 160

128 | Commerce and Industry

In addition, a total of 380 teachers had completed a web-based teacher's development course on consumer education, which was commissioned by the Education and Manpower Bureau and has been organised by the council since March 2004.

The council has continued to administer the Consumer Legal Action Fund, which enhances consumer access to legal remedies. In 2006, the fund considered 18 cases and granted assistance in two cases. Two cases carried over from previous years were successful in their claims.

The council is an executive and council member of Consumers International, a federation of 230 consumer organisations in 113 countries and territories. The council's chief executive is a former president of the federation. The council also maintains regular contact with counterparts overseas and on the Mainland, and exchanges information, handles consumer complaints by tourists and considers initiatives to pursue wider consumer interests.

Enforcement of Consumer Protection Legislation

The Customs and Excise Department carries out spot checks and investigations to ensure that toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied in Hong Kong are safe. It also has a responsibility to protect consumers from fraudulent traders who offer goods of deceptive weights and measures or products made of gold and platinum that have deceptive markings. In 2006, the department carried out 3 541 spot checks and 1 148 investigations.

The Government Laboratory provides analytical and advisory services to the Customs and Excise Department in support of the enforcement of the consumer protection legislation. In 2006, the laboratory carried out 24 217 tests on toys, children's products and consumer goods to determine whether the items were in compliance with relevant safety standards. The laboratory also carried out weight determination of retailed goods and on-site verification of traders' balances in the enforcement of the Weights and Measures Ordinance. In the year, the laboratory conducted more than 6 500 tests in the examination of gold articles and other commodities, most of the tests were in connection with the investigation of fraudulent trade practices under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Trade in Endangered Species

The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance replaced the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance and came into operation on December 1, 2006. The ordinance, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), regulates the imports, introduction from the sea, exports, re-export or possession of endangered species. Licensing policy follows the CITES principles closely. Commercial imports, exports and re-export of highly endangered species are prohibited, and international trade in less endangered species is subject to licensing requirements.

The ordinance is administered by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and enforced by both the department and the Customs and Excise