The Government introduced an amendment to the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance (Cap 595) (the Ordinance) into the Legislative Council on June 14, 2023 to include hexachlorobutadiene, polychlorinated naphthalenes, decabromodiphenyl ether and short-chain chlorinated paraffins into Schedule 1 of the Ordinance in order to reduce the risk of public exposure to these chemicals, thus protecting public health and the environment.
Inclusion of these chemicals in the Ordinance will help Hong Kong implement the latest amendments to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Under the Ordinance, any person found guilty of manufacturing, importing, exporting, or using these chemicals without a permit is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.