1.04.2008 Implementation of the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance (Cap. 595)
The Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance (Cap. 595) comes into forcein phases from April 1, 2008. The ordinance provides for the regulation of the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals through an activity-based permit system. These chemicals are covered by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
Starting from April 1, 2008, anyone wanting to import, export, manufacture or use any scheduled chemicals subject to regulation under the ordinance needs to have a valid activity-based permit issued by EPD, which is generally valid for 12 months. In addition, for every shipment of scheduled chemical(s) entering or leaving Hong Kong, an import/export licence is also required under the consignment-based licensing system under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), to be issued by the EPD under Delegated Authority from the Director General of Trade and Industry.
