Government Launches Public Consultation on Proposed Amendments to Fire Services Ordinance (Cap. 95)

Government launches public consultation on proposed amendments to Fire Services Ordinance (Cap. 95)

The Government today (May 26) launched a one-month public consultation on the proposed amendments to the Fire Services Ordinance (FSO) (Cap. 95) and its related subsidiary legislation. The amendments aim to ensure that the existing fire safety-related legislative framework keeps pace with the times, enhancing public safety, regulatory coherence, enforcement effectiveness and accountability, while responding to public expectations for enhanced fire safety.

Following the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Government established the Task Force on Strengthening Fire Safety Governance chaired by the Secretary for Security, and immediately implemented targeted measures and put in place medium-to-long-term initiatives to comprehensively enhance fire safety governance efficacy. One of the important measures is a comprehensive review of the FSO and its subsidiary legislation, including the fire safety-related statutory regulatory regimes and the responsibilities of various stakeholders, with a view to proposing amendments.

Photo source: online image

A spokesman for the Security Bureau said, "The Government attaches great importance to fire safety standards and the protection of the lives and property of citizens. To further consolidate Hong Kong's fire safety regulatory regime, we consider it necessary to amend the FSO and three pieces of related subsidiary legislation under the Ordinance, namely the Fire Service (Installation Contractors) Regulations (Cap. 95A), the Fire Service (Installations and Equipment) Regulations (Cap. 95B), and the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation (Cap. 95F). These amendments will comprehensively strengthen the regulation of the registration regime for Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors (RFSICs), the maintenance and inspection of building fire service installations (FSI) and equipment, and the abatement of fire hazards. We will also take this opportunity to appropriately enhance the enforcement powers of the Fire Services Department (FSD) in specific areas and combat illicit fuelling activities, among others."

The spokesman added that, in view of the public's pressing aspiration for enhanced fire safety, the Government will finalise the legislative proposal as soon as possible upon completion of the public consultation, and will strive to introduce the Bill for the Legislative Council's consideration within 2026.

The proposed legislative amendments cover six pillars:

• Strengthening the regulatory regime for FSIs;

• Introducing the FSI responsible persons regime;

• Reforming the RFSIC registration and disciplinary regime;

• Enhancing penalties and criminal accountability;

• Introducing a fixed penalty regime and streamlined abatement of fire hazards workflow; and

• Expanding the FSD's enforcement powers and combating illicit fuelling.

For details, please refer to the consultation document available on the websites of the Security Bureau (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/pub/consultation/pafso.html) and the Fire Services Department (www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/fire_protection/pc_cap95/). Members of the public may submit views in writing by email (fsab_consultation@hkfsd.gov.hk) or by mail to the Legislation Amendment Working Group, South Wing, 5/F, Fire Services Department Headquarters Building, 1 Hong Chong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, on or before June 25.

Photo source: online image

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming passengers were sentenced to six months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and five months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (May 26) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 36 and 44, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (May 25) and seized 51 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $209,000 and a duty potential of about $169,000, as well as around 38 500 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $158,000 and a duty potential of about $127,000, from their personal baggage respectively. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were respectively sentenced to six months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and five months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 today.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases