Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Hong Kong Customs detected a case involving a passenger smuggling endangered species at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on June 27 and seized 777 eggs of suspected scheduled endangered bird species, with an estimated market value of about $10.9 million.

A 27-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand on June 27. He was intercepted for Customs clearance at the arrival hall of HKIA. Customs officers found the batch of bird eggs concealed in metal boxes inside his carry-on baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the bird eggs were suspected to be endangered species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong. 

The case has been handed over to the AFCD for follow-up action. Hong Kong Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Marine Department today announced the implementation of measures to encourage more yachts from the Greater Bay Area and around the world to visit Hong Kong.

The department said its three measures will streamline the vetting procedures and enhance the efficiency of port formalities. The ultimate aim is to help the city develop into a yachting hub in Asia.

The measures involve enhancing the Electronic Business System (eBS), relaxing berth requirements, and supporting masters of visiting yachts from the Chinese Mainland to obtain Hong Kong qualifications.

Launched today, the eBS allows the owner or master of a visiting yacht, without the need to engage a local agent, to set up a personal account and conduct one-stop submission of arrival information for preliminary vetting by Hong Kong authorities.

The owner or master can also complete port formalities for their vessel and settle fees via the system.

The department has also developed a Dynamic Yacht Monitoring System, which allows visiting yachts to navigate safely in Hong Kong waters and to anchor in designated areas, without having to reserve berths at privately operated yacht clubs or piers.

The five designated anchorage areas are located at Stanley Bay, Tai Tam Bay, Repulse Bay, Three Fathoms Cove in Sai Kung, and Tai O. Users must have equipped their yachts with an Automatic Identification System and a Very High Frequency radio.

Additionally, the department has authorised the relevant Mainland authority to conduct “Hong Kong Waters Local Knowledge Examinations” on the Mainland. It has also approved seven training institutions to offer recognised training courses.

The department added that as of mid-June the first batch of Mainland yacht masters had successfully passed the examination or received training.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has iterated that it is committed to enhancing the management standards of country parks.

The department made the statement in response to an investigative report, released today by the Office of The Ombudsman, on the Government’s work on the management of countryside facilities.

It said it accepts the Ombudsman’s recommendations and will make every effort to implement them. It added that some of the measures have already been initiated or completed.

The specific measures include enhancing facility maintenance and inspections at country parks; improving the system for monitoring the performance of cleaning contractors; allocating additional resources, hiring contractors, and adopting new designs to improve the maintenance of facilities such as rain shelters; updating the contents of the country park visitor questionnaire and the “Enjoy Hiking” website; and providing GPX files for all trails on the website.

The department said it agrees with the Ombudsman’s recommendations on strengthening public education and the dissemination of information. It is currently developing several publicity channels, including establishing a YouTube account for Hong Kong Country Parks and applying to open an official Xiaohongshu account.

It will continue to work with relevant government departments to strengthen the management of ecotourism hotspots during weekends, public holidays and the Mainland Golden Week holidays as necessary.

It will also explore co-operation with other organisations to deepen education and publicity with regard to the protection of country parks and hiking safety awareness.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced today (June 23) that new inspection requirements covering nine product categories will take effect on July 1, 2026. The newly regulated products include electric vehicle charging equipment rated at 30 kW or below, power conversion systems rated at 20 kW or below, stationary lithium energy storage systems with a capacity of 20 kWh or below, lithium battery packs for energy storage with capacities ranging from 1 kWh to 20 kWh, seven types of rechargeable household appliances such as electric mosquito swatters, and plastic puzzle ground mats. In addition, energy efficiency requirements for automotive tires will be introduced, while inspection requirements for Portland cement and wooden board commodities will be revised to further enhance product safety and quality.

BSMI explained that electric vehicle charging equipment, power conversion systems, stationary lithium energy storage systems, and lithium battery packs for energy storage are increasingly being installed in residential and other environments. At the same time, advances in battery technology have led to the widespread use of rechargeable batteries in household appliances, including electric mosquito swatters. To ensure consumer safety, these products will be brought under mandatory inspection and tested in accordance with national standards harmonized with international standards.

The requirements cover key safety aspects such as insulation performance, thermal stability, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and flame retardancy. To better protect children’s health and reduce exposure to hazardous substances such as phthalates and formamide, plastic puzzle ground mats will also be subject to mandatory inspection requirements. Beginning July 1, 2026, these products must comply with applicable inspection requirements and complete the required conformity assessment procedures before being placed on the market.

In line with global sustainability trends, BSMI is introducing additional energy efficiency requirements for automobile tyres, including rolling sound emission, wet grip braking performance, and rolling resistance coefficient, to enhance energy efficiency and driving comfort. Meanwhile, to promote the reuse of waste materials in cement production and advance circular economy objectives, a chloride ion testing requirement will be included in the inspection requirements for Portland cement to ensure that the introduction of alternative raw materials does not compromise cement quality and stability. Inspection standards and testing methods for wooden board commodities will be revised to improve inspection efficiency.

To safeguard consumer rights and product safety, BSMI will continue to collect and assess safety information on emerging products, require mandatory inspection for products with potential safety concerns, and regularly review and update these requirements. Manufacturers are urged to comply with applicable safety and labeling requirements. Consumers are advised to purchase products bearing the Commodity Inspection Mark and to ensure that relevant electrical equipment is evaluated and installed by qualified electrical contractors designated by the manufacturer.

Details of the newly announced inspection requirements are available on the BSMI website (https://www.bsmi.gov.tw/wSite/mp?mp=2) under News > Regulatory Updates > Announcements of Adoption. For further information, please visit the website or contact BSMI’s toll-free service line at 0800-007123.

Responsible Division: Inspection Administration Division
Contact Person: Mr. Cheng, Ching-Hong, Deputy Director
Tel. (O): +886-2343-1700#1211
Email: ch.cheng@bsmi.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today launched a two-month public consultation on policy proposals relating to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO), including a statutory seven-day cooling-off period on pre-paid consumer contracts for beauty and fitness services.

Explaining the proposals, it said issues such as improper selling tactics and risks stemming from pre-payment models are particularly concentrated in the beauty and fitness services industries. Consumers often enter into long contracts involving substantial pre-payments under the sway of aggressive commercial practices or persuasive sales tactics.

It added that there are limitations to the existing TDO in terms of investigatory work by Customs. 

A comprehensive review of the ordinance has therefore been conducted, with reference to various factors, including practices. Various policy proposals are included in the public consultation document.

The statutory cooling-off period on pre-paid consumer contracts for beauty and fitness services is intended to give consumers room to reconsider any pre-payment agreements. The proposed cooling-off period is seven calendar days, and the proposed refund period is 14 calendar days.

A regulatory threshold based on the contract amount would be established. Proposed thresholds for consideration include $3,000 and above, $8,000 and above or $15,000 and above.

The Government also proposes imposing a statutory two-year limit on contract durations, as well as other restrictions on pre-paid beauty and fitness contracts. Moreover, traders would be prohibited from entering into a contract with consumers any more than thre months in advance of the contract taking effect.

In addition, the Government proposes adding Section 13I of the TDO, which pertains to the offence of wrongly accepting payment, to Schedule 1 of the Organized & Serious Crimes Ordinance. This would empower Customs with additional investigatory and enforcement powers, including the power to seek restraint orders in court.

The Government will organise consultation sessions to brief the beauty and fitness industries on the policy proposals and to listen to their views and suggestions.

The trade and members of the public can submit views by email, by fax to 2869 4420, or by mail to the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau, 23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong.