New import and export controls on hydrofluorocarbons to take effect next month
The import and export controls for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the newly amended Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403) will take effect on December 1, 2025, applicable to 18 regulated HFCs (see annex).
The Government completed the amendments to the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance in April this year to implement the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was adopted by the United Nations to strengthen the regulation of HFCs and establish corresponding phase-down targets and schedules, with a view to working together with the international community in addressing climate change.
An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said, "Starting from December 1, 2025, any person intending to import regulated HFCs for local consumption must hold a valid import quota and apply for an import licence for each consignment."
The spokesman stated that Hong Kong will gradually tighten the import quota in accordance with the schedule for phasing down the import, export, and consumption of HFCs established under the Kigali Amendment, with the ultimate goal of reducing the consumption of HFCs by 85 per cent from the baseline level by 2036.
To help the trades understand the new control requirements, the EPD has earlier written to stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and distributors of HFCs and related products to detail the implementation specifics of the new controls. The EPD has also held workshops to provide briefings on the application procedures, and has conducted visits to users of HFCs, logistics companies, and relevant trade associations to provide guidance. Relevant information has been uploaded to the EPD's dedicated website (olpo.epd.gov.hk/en/info).
For any enquiries regarding the import and export control measures of HFCs, please contact the EPD at 3153 2384 or via email at olpoenq@epd.gov.hk.
Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses
Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.
Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.
The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:
(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.
(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.
"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.
To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.
Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.
Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.
Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.
Source: AI-found images
