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Commerce and Industry

Enforcement of Legislation

The Customs and Excise Department enforces the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, Trade Descriptions Ordinance, and Weights and Measures Ordinance.

The Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance is updated regularly to ensure toys and other children's products supplied in Hong Kong comply with operative, up-to-date international safety standards. Updated safety standards for items listed in Schedule 2 of the ordinance came into effect in October.

The department carries out spot checks and investigations to ensure toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied locally are safe and that the quantity of goods supplied in the course of trade by weight and other measures is accurate, and to guard against false trade descriptions and other unfair trade practices over goods and services. In 2016, the department carried out 8,815 spot checks and concluded 345 enforcement cases.

The Government Laboratory provides analytical and advisory services to the department in the enforcement of consumer protection legislation. In 2016, the laboratory carried out 34,032 tests to check the compliance of toys, children's products and consumer goods with safety standards, and to determine the weight of retail goods. Where necessary, it conducted on-site investigations in support of the enforcement of the Weights and Measures Ordinance. The laboratory also carried out 4,642 tests to examine the authenticity of commodities and the correctness of trade descriptions as part of investigations under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.

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. 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 that department and the Customs and Excise Department. It provides for a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment of up to two years. In 2016, the departments issued 19,935 licences and certificates and initiated 154 prosecutions.

Websites

Business consultation e-platform: www.gov.hk/bizconsult

Commerce and Economic Development Bureau: www.cedb.gov.hk Consumer Council: www.consumer.org.hk

Create Hong Kong: www.createhk.gov.hk Environment Bureau: www.enb.gov.hk

Film Development Council: www.fdc.gov.hk

Film Services Office: www.fso-createhk.gov.hk

Intellectual Property Department: www.ipd.gov.hk

Special Effects Licensing Unit: www.createhk-esela.gov.hk

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