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(i) |
Consumer
Goods Safety |
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Q1. |
What is
general safety requirement? |
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A1. |
The
general safety requirement for consumer goods
is that the consumer goods are reasonably safe
having regard to all of the circumstances, including
those set out in section 4 of the Consumer Goods
Safety Ordinance, Chapter 456. |
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Q2. |
What kind
of consumer goods needs bilingual safety warnings
? |
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A2. |
It
depends on whether the consumer goods require
a warning for compliance with the general safety
requirement. In other words, only a consumer product
that poses potential hazard to consumers and that
a safety warning can make it reasonably safe,
is required to carry a safety warning. For example,
a knife posing conspicuous cutting hazard to users
does not require a safety warning, while a bottle
of nail polish remover containing flammable substances
requires English and Chinese safety warnings to
alert consumers that the product is flammable
and would pose fire hazard to them. |
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Q3. |
When a
consumer product bears a safety warning which is
not written in English or Chinese, is it a must
for the goods to bear an English and Chinese safety
warning as well? |
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A3. |
No.
It depends on whether the safety warning is given
to satisfy the general safety requirement or not.
Suppliers are not required to affix any corresponding
English and Chinese safety warning on consumer
goods bearing unnecessary safety warnings in any
foreign language. |
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Q4. |
When a
consumer product contains already a safety warning
in English, is it a must for the goods to bear a
corresponding Chinese safety warning too ? |
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A4. |
Same as
Answer 3. |
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Q5. |
Where
can the public obtain information on safety standards
and approved laboratories? |
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A5. |
The
Product Standards Information Bureau (PSIB) of
the Innovation and Technology Commission operates
a library with a collection of safety standards
issued by international and national standardisation
bodies. Those interested are welcome to consult
safety standards in the library. The PSIB is located
on 36/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road,
Wanchai, Hong Kong. Its telephone and fax numbers
are 2829 4820 and 2824 1302 respectively. For
information on approved laboratories, those interested
may approach the HOKLAS Secretariat at the same
address and fax number as PSIB's. Its telephone
number is 2829 4840. |
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Q6. |
How can
the public find out whether their products need
a safety warning ? |
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A6. |
In deciding
whether their products need a safety warning, they
have to consult the manufacturers of the products
whether the design or the materials used in the
manufacture of the products will pose potential
hazards to consumers, and whether a safety warning
can make them to comply with the general safety
requirement. Besides, they can have their products
tested by an approved laboratory to find out whether
the products need a safety warning to alert consumers
of their potential hazards. |
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(ii) |
Toys
and Children's Products Safety |
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Q1. |
I want
to make a complaint on the safety of toys or children's
products. Can I lodge the complaint through Tel
No. 2545 6182 ? |
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A1. |
Yes.
You may call our complaint hotline 2545 6182 or
write to the Consumer Protection Bureau, Customs
and Excise Department, 11/F, North Point Government
Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. |
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Q2. |
Does each
and every toy or children's product need to bear
the "identification marking"? |
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A2. |
If the
toy or children's product is to be sold locally,
then it is required under the Toys and Children's
Products Safety Regulation to bear the "identification
marking". It should carry the name, trade or other
identification mark and the local address of the
manufacturer, importer or supplier in English, Chinese
or both languages. |
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Q3. |
Does each
and every toy or children's product need to bear
the "bilingual safety warning or caution"? |
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A3. |
If a toy
or a children's product is required under the 3
statutory safety standards for toys or the relevant
safety specification(s) for that particular children's
product to carry safety warning or caution, then
according to the Toys and Children's Products Safety
Regulation, the safety warning or caution should
be provided in both English and Chinese. The "bilingual
safety warning or caution" requirement does not
apply to those toys and children's products which
are not required to carry safety warning or caution. |
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Q4. |
Is there
any need to affix the Chinese safety label next
to the English one or vice versa? |
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A4. |
It is advisable
to affix the Chinese label alongside the English
label. If this is not possible, then it should be
legibly and conspicuously placed on the goods, any
package of the goods or a document enclosed in the
package, or securely affixed to the package so that
the consumers can easily read the messages. |
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Q5. |
Does the
legislation specify the size of the letters in the
"identification marking" and "bilingual safety warning
or caution" ? |
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A5. |
According
to Toys and Children's Products Safety Regulation,
there is no specification on the size of the letters
of the identification marking and safety warning
or caution. However, the identification marking
and the safety warning or caution must be clearly
legible. Besides, under the safety standards for
toys and specifications for children's products
adopted by standards institutions specified under
the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance,
for certain toys and children's products (e.g. aquatic
toys and child safety barriers for domestic use),
the size of the letters of the warning or caution
should be generally no less than 5 mm. |
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Q6. |
Are the
suppliers, importers or manufacturers required to
affix the following warning phrases to each and
every toy : "Warning : Small parts - Not suitable
for children under 3 years old"? |
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A6. |
No, it
should only apply to toys which are not suitable
for children under 3 years of age. However, the
application of such warning/caution on toys which
are clearly intended for play by children under
3 years of age will not waive the liability of the
suppliers if the toys contain small parts. |
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Q7. |
Does a
"toy" need to comply with the 3 statutory safety
standards under the Toys and Children's Products
Safety Ordinance if it is given to consumers as
a free gift or a souvenir ? |
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A7. |
The definition
of "supply" under the Toys and Children's Products
Safety Ordinance includes "for commercial purposes,
to give goods as a prize or to make a gift of the
goods." Therefore, if the toy is given out for commercial
purposes, it is required to comply with the statutory
safety standards for toys. |
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Q8. |
Where
can I obtain the details of the 3 statutory safety
standards for toys (or safety specifications for
the prescribed children's products) ? |
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A8. |
You can
obtain the details from the Product Standards Information
Bureau of the Innovation and Technology Commission
on 36th floor, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road,
HK. Its telephone and fax numbers are 2829 4820
and 2824 1302 respectively. |
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Q9. |
Where
can I obtain the information about the accredited
laboratories in Hong Kong ? |
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A9. |
You can
obtain the information from the HOKLAS Secretariat
at the same address and fax number as the Product
Standards Information Bureau's. Its telephone and
fax numbers are 2829 4840 and 2824 1302 respectively. |
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(iii) |
Weight
and Measures |
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Q1. |
I want
to know if there were any laws in Hong Kong to control
malpractice regarding Weights & Measures ? |
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A1. |
Yes, it's
the Weights & Measures Ordinance, Cap 68, Law of
Hong Kong |
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Q2. |
Can you
tell me what is the Weights & Measures Ordinance? |
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A2. |
In brief,
the purpose of the Ordinance is to protect consumers
against unfair trade practices, and short weights
and measures in the course of trade. It is an offence
under this Ordinance for any person who possesses,
manufactures, supplies and uses false or defective
weighing and measuring equipment for the purpose
of trade. It also prohibits the sales of goods by
weight or measure in the course of trade otherwise
than by net weight or measure. For details, you
can purchase a copy of the Ordinance from the Government
Publication Centre, at G/F, Low Block, Queensway
Government Office, Hong Kong |
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Q3. |
How can
I know that my weighing equipment is accurate? |
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A3. |
For periodical
verification and calibration, you may approach any
one of the laboratories accredited under the Hong
Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS), administrated
by Commissioner for Innovation and Technology. For
enquiry, please call Innovation and Technology Commission
at 2829 4830. |
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Q4. |
Does the
Government impose any restrictions on using any
particular kind of weighing equipment for the purpose
of trade ? |
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A4. |
No, as
long as the weighing equipment use metric, British
Imperial or Chinese units as units of measures,
they can be used for the purpose of trade. |
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(iv) |
Gold and
platinum marking orders |
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Q1. |
I want
to know if there were any laws in Hong Kong to control
the sales of gold and platinum in the course of
trade ? |
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A1. |
Yes, they
are the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold and Gold
Alloy) Order and Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Platinum)
Order, Cap 362 Law of Hong Kong. |
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Q2. |
What exactly
are these two marking orders about ? |
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A2. |
Basically,
these two orders control the sales of gold or platinum
articles in which such articles must bear a mark
of fineness of gold or platinum content. The supply
of such articles must also be accompanied by receipts
or invoices. Gold & Platinum suppliers are required
to display at the point of supply a notice in the
form prescribed by Trade Descriptions (Marking)
(Gold and Gold Alloy) Order and Trade Descriptions
(Marking) (Platinum) Order. |
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Q3. |
Where
can I obtain information regarding these two marking
orders ? |
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A3. |
You may
approach the Government Publication Centre at G/F,
Low Block, Queensway Government Office, Hong Kong
to purchase a copy of these two orders or you may
visit our web site at http://www.customs.gov.hk for
more details. |
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Q4. |
Are there
any similar laws to control the sales of gem stones
in Hong Kong ? |
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A4. |
There is
no specific law to deal with these commodities.
However, the Trade Descriptions Ordinance makes
it an offence for any person supplying goods bearing
a false or misleading trade description in the course
of trade. |
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Q5. |
What can
I do if I want to know whether the fineness of gold
of my ornaments is sufficient or not? |
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A5. |
The simplest
method is to approach one of those reputable goldsmiths
in Hong Kong for preliminary testing. If the result
strongly suggests that there is insufficient fineness
of gold, you may lodge a complaint with this department.
We will ask the Government Chemist to analyze in
detail the gold content of the ornament. |
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Q6. |
Will the
analysis damage my gold ornament? |
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A6. |
Yes, there
will be slight damages. |
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