ENG-2011 — Page 168

128 | Commerce and Industry

of toys, children's products and consumer goods with relevant safety standards, and to determine the weight of retailed goods. It conducted on-site investigations to verify traders' weighing and measuring equipment in support of the enforcement of the Weights and Measures Ordinance. During the year, the laboratory also carried out 5 375 tests to examine the authenticity of commodities and the correctness of trade descriptions in relation to the investigation of fraudulent trade practices under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

Review of Legislation on Consumer Protection

The Government is committed to tackling unfair trade practices with a view to protecting consumer interests and ensuring a level playing field for business. In January 2011, the Government published a Report on Public Consultation on Legislation to Enhance Protection for Consumers against Unfair Trade Practices, affirming the proposals to amend the Trade Descriptions Ordinance to prohibit commonly seen unfair trade practices including false trade descriptions of services, misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices, bait advertising, bait-and- switch, and wrongly accepting payment. In addition to criminal sanctions to deal with suspected contraventions of fair trade provisions, the Government also proposed to establish a civil compliance-based enforcement mechanism aiming at encouraging compliance and facilitating quicker settlement.

To combat more effectively objectionable schemes adopting a pyramid structure, the Government introduced into the Legislative Council on June 1, 2011 the Pyramid Schemes Prohibition Bill. The bill was passed on December 7, 2011 and will go into operation on January 1, 2012.

Trade in Endangered Species

The Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It regulates the import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea or possession of endangered species. The commercial import, export 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 Department. It provides for penalties of a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment of up to two years. In 2011, a total of 21 614 licences and certificates were issued and 117 prosecutions were conducted.

Websites

Commerce and Economic Development Bureau: www.cedb.gov.hk

(links to related departments and agencies)

Hong Kong Consumer Council: www.consumer.org.hk Environment Bureau: www.enb.gov.hk