The Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance became effective on 1 April 08. It regulates, through a permit system, the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals that have potentially harmful or adverse effects on human health or the environment. At present, the non-pesticide hazardous chemicals regulated under the ordinance include such chemicals that are subject to the regulation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, or the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
Offenders who import, export, manufacture or use the hazardous chemicals without a permit face a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for 1 year. Offenders who breach permit conditions face a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for 6 months.
HCCO Permit Statistics in 2010
| No. of applications for new permits and permit renewals received: | 74 |
| No. of new and renewed permits issued for each type of activities: | |
| Import | 19 |
| Export | 7 |
| Import/export (transshipment and transit) | 15 |
| Manufacture | 0 |
| Use | 34 |
| Total no. of permits issued: | 75 |
