Officers of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) make regular inspections of potential air polluting plants and respond to air pollution complaints raised by the public. Enforcement is empowered by the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) and its subsidiary regulations. When appropriate, the EPD gives advice or issues a legal notice to the premises to abate the air pollution. If the advice or legal notice is ignored, legal action is then taken against the offender. In 2013, the EPD gave advice on 3 899 occasions, served 313 notices and undertook 123 prosecutions under the APCO and 1 prosecution under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (OLPO) (see chart below).
Air Pollution Enforcement Statistics in 2013
| Chimney Applications Processed | 469 |
| Specified Process Licences (Newly Issued) | 5 |
| Notices Served | 313 |
| Prosecutions (APCO & OLPO) | 124 |
| Technical Advice Given | 3 899 |
Fines Imposed for Air Pollution Convictions in 2013 (HK$)
| Total | Highest | Lowest | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breach of Asbestos Requirement | 194 000 | 20 000 | 2 000 | 5 879 |
| Breach of Construction Dust Regulation | 244 000 | 20 000 | 2 500 | 8 133 |
| Breach of Fuel Restriction Regulation | 13 000 | 5 000 | 4 000 | 4 333 |
| Breach of Open Burning Regulation | 17 900 | 10 000 | 600 | 2 238 |
| Breach of Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance | 30 000 | 30 000 | 30 000 | 30 000 |
| Breach of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulation | 10 000 | 4 000 | 3 000 | 3 333 |
| Contravention of terms and conditions of licence | 40 000 | 25 000 | 5 000 | 13 333 |
| Dark Smoke Emission | 27 700 | 10 000 | 1 200 | 4 617 |
| Defective Design | 193 000 | 80 000 | 5 000 | 32 167 |
| Fails to comply with air pollution abatement notice | 58 000 | 18 000 | 10 000 | 14 500 |
| Illegal Installation/Alteration | 176 200 | 30 000 | 2 500 | 7 661 |
