ENG-2014 — Page 140

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Commerce and Industry

foster relationships among, their members. There are numerous other associations representing specific sectors or interests, and overseas chambers of commerce.

Development of Testing and Certification Industry

The Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) advises the government on the overall development strategy of the testing and certification industry. The HKCTC comprises members from the testing and certification industry, the business sector, professional organisations and relevant public bodies and government departments.

The government works closely with the HKCTC to implement recommendations made in the HKCTC's 2013 review report. General improvements have been made to the accreditation service and factors of production (manpower, technology, capital and land) for industry, whilst promoting development of new testing and certification services in six specific trades (Chinese medicines, construction materials, food, jewellery, environmental protection, and information and communications technologies). These services include Chinese Materia Medica certification, product certification for construction materials, food hygiene standard certification system, standard methods for testing Fei Cui, energy management system certification, and information security management system certification.

The Mainland is gradually opening up its market to Hong Kong's testing and certification industry. The Agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Achieving Basic Liberalisation of Trade in Services in Guangdong, signed in December 2014, allows testing organisations in Hong Kong to co-operate with designated Mainland organisations to undertake testing of products in the China Compulsory Certification System's 'audio and visual apparatus' category that are designed and prototyped in Hong Kong as well as processed or manufactured in Guangdong Province, and in respect of voluntary certification, to undertake testing of products manufactured or processed in Hong Kong or on the Mainland. With respect to the mode of 'commercial presence, the agreement also offers Hong Kong's testing and certification industry market access to Guangdong Province on the same terms as Mainland enterprises.

The ITC's Hong Kong Accreditation Service operates in accordance with international standards and is active in international and regional accreditation communities. Through its multilateral mutual recognition arrangements, the results of tests, calibrations, certifications and inspections provided by its accredited organisations are widely recognised globally, thus facilitating cross- border business and trading.

Standards and Calibration Services

The Standards and Calibration Laboratory is the HKSAR's official custodian of physical measurement reference standards. It provides a calibration service traceable to the International System of Units with calibration certificates recognised internationally. It is a signatory to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement of the International Committee for Weights and Measures.

The Product Standards Information Bureau disseminates information relating to documentary standards. It operates a product standards library and provides sales of standards and free

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