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Press
Releases - 2000
EPD
launches testing guideline for degradable products
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (December 29) launched the
Testing Guideline on the Degradability and Food Safety of
Containers and Bags.
A spokesman
for the EPD said it was the first comprehensive testing guideline
for degradable products developed locally.
The spokesman
emphasised that the testing guideline was not developed to
encourage the use of disposable products.
"The
public should avoid the use of disposable products no matter
whether they are degradable or not," he noted.
The emergence
of plastic foam container alternatives has brought up the
question of whether these alternatives are safe to human health
and truly degradable.
At the
end of last year, the EPD formed a working group with the
Hong Kong Plastics Technology Centre, Hong Kong Association
of Certification Laboratories, Consumer Council, Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology, Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department and the trade representatives to develop
a testing guideline for degradable containers and bags as
well as to establish the local criteria.
"The
testing guideline was developed after making reference to
relevant international testing methods and standards with
due consideration of the characteristics of degradable materials
and the local environment.
"The
testing guideline addresses food safety, degradability and
physical performance of degradable products. Producers and
suppliers may appoint local laboratories to conduct the required
tests," the spokesman noted.
The testing
guideline is launched with an associated registration scheme.
The EPD will maintain a register accessible by the public
for products meeting the criteria. A monitoring system will
also be put in place to ensure the performance of registered
products. It includes random checking of the registered products
available in the market and requiring the supplier to provide
up-to-date testing results regularly.
The EPD
will inform government departments and major catering companies
of the launching of the testing guideline. They can make use
of the testing guideline in selecting degradable products.
The public
can obtain information on the testing guideline and the associated
registration scheme from the EPD website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd.
End/Friday,
December 29, 2000
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