Hong Kong does not have a central standards body developing and issuing domestic standards. Our regulatory authorities use standards as and when necessary, and avoid the position where the setting of standards dictates market development or becomes a means of protecting certain sectors of the industry.
While conformity with standards is voluntary, technical regulations are set by governments with a view to prevent market failures, protect consumers and the environment and hence are mandatory in nature. In general, a technical regulation document lays down the characteristics of a product such as dimension, labelling, packaging, level of quality, conformity assessment procedures etc. It may also cover production methods and processes.
Hong Kong
| Regulatory Area |
Authority |
Legislation |
Related Information |
| Animals and Plants (importation and quarantine) |
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department |
The Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance (Cap 139) |
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| Rabies Ordinance (Cap 421) |
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| The Plant (Importation and Pest Control) Ordinance (Cap 207) |
Learn more |
| Boilers and Pressure Vessels |
Labour Department |
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance (Cap 56) |
Learn more |
| Building Materials and Construction |
Buildings Department |
The Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123) |
Codes and references
Standardised Components and Practices |
| Chemicals (control of chemicals related to the manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances) |
Customs and Excise Department |
Control of Chemical Ordinance (Cap. 145) |
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| Consumer Goods |
Customs and Excise Department |
Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (Cap 456) |
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Under the Ordinance, all consumer goods manufactured, imported and supplied for consumption in Hong Kong, must satisfy the "General Safety Requirement" in the Section 4 for complying. |
| Dangerous goods (compressed gas, LPG, corrosive/explosive chemicals etc) |
Hong Kong Fire Services Department |
Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) |
Learn more |
| Electrical Products |
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department |
Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation (Cap 406G) |
"Guidance Notes for the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation (2019 Edition)" |
| Note: Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation does not apply to electrical products which are operated at extra low voltage (ELV) i.e. not exceeding 50 V a.c. or 120 V d.c. Safety regarding electrical appliances which are operated at ELV or below is regulated under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (Cap 456). |
| Energy Efficiency |
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department |
Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Cap 598) |
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| Environment |
Environmental Protection Department |
Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap 311) |
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| Dumping At Sea Ordinance (Cap 466) |
| Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap 499) |
| Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance (Cap 595) |
| Motor Vehicle Idling (Fixed Penalty) Ordinance (Cap 611) |
| Noise Control Ordinance (Cap 400) |
| Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap 403) |
| Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap 603) |
| Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap 354) |
| Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap 358) |
| Food |
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department |
Part V of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132) |
|
| Food Safety Ordinance (Cap 612) |
| Gas Supply and Gas Appliances |
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department |
Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap 51) |
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Gas Safety Ordinance (Cap 51) regulates the safe supply of gas. The Ordinance provide for the registration of generating facilities, workers and contractors for gas installations, gas installation standards, safe distribution and use of gas. The Ordinance in the interest of safety the importation, manufacture, storage, transport, supply and use of gases (i.e. Towngas, LPG and natural gas), and provides the necessary statutory power for enforcement by the Gas Authority (Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services). |
| Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Equipment, Audio Visual Equipment and Electrical Equipment (Control of Interference) |
Office of Communications Authority |
Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap 106B) |
|
| Lifts and Escalators |
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department |
Lifts and Escalators Ordinance (Cap. 618) |
Learn more |
| Lifts and Escalators Ordinance (Cap. 618) regulates the design and construction of lifts and escalators and their relevant works such as installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair, alteration, examination and testing. Pursuant to the Ordinance, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has established Code of Practice on the Design and Construction of Lifts and Escalators and Code of Practice for Lift Works and Escalator Works. All design and construction of lifts/escalators and lift/escalator works carried out should comply with the relevant codes of practice. |
| Pesticides (insectcides, fungicide etc) |
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department |
The Pesticides Ordinance (Cap 133) |
Learn more |
| Pharmaceutical Products, Medicines, Dangerous Drugs and Medical Devices |
Department of Health |
Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap 134) |
Learn more |
| Antibiotics Ordinance (Cap 137) |
| Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138) |
| Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap 549) |
Learn more |
| Medical Devices |
Learn more |
| Radioactive Substances and Irradiating Apparatus |
Department of Health (Radiation Health Division) |
The Radiation Ordinance (Cap 303) |
Learn more |
| Road Transport Vehicles |
Transport Department |
Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374) |
|
| Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap 374A) |
| Road Traffic (Safety Equipment) Regulations (Cap 374F) |
| Specification of Safety Glass Notice (Cap 374H) |
| Guidelines for Importation & Registration of Motor Vehicle |
| Toys and Children's Products |
Customs and Excise Department |
Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance (Cap 424)
Toys and Children's Products Safety (Additional Safety Standards or Requirements) Regulation (Cap 424C)
|
Learn more |
| Water Pipes and Fittings |
Water Supplies Department |
Waterworks Regulation (Cap 102A) |
Installation requirement
Fittings |
Trading Partners
Conformity assessment services include, but are not limited to, testing, calibration, inspection, certification of management systems, persons, products, processes and services, provision of proficiency testing, production of reference materials, validation and verification. The major service providers are from the private sector. Competence is demonstrated through third party accreditation.
Accreditation Body in Hong Kong
International and Regional Bodies