The Government introduced an amendment to the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance (Cap 595) (the Ordinance) into the Legislative Council on January 11, 2017 to include hexabromocyclododecane into Schedule 1 of the Ordinance in order to strengthen the protection of the general public and the environment against potential health and pollution problems due to exposure to this chemical.
Inclusion of hexabromocyclododecane in the Ordinance will bring Hong Kong in line with the revision to the list of persistent organic pollutants covered by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Under the Ordinance, the manufacture, export, import and use of the listed scheduled hazardous chemical are subject to permit control. The control of hexabromocyclododecane under the Ordinance will take effect from June 1, 2017. Any person found guilty of manufacturing, exporting, importing or using hexabromocyclododecane without a permit is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.