Hong Kong's new import and export control on electrical and electronic waste to take effect on January 1, 2025
The Waste Disposal (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the Ordinance) will come into effect on January 1, 2025, to implement relevant amendments to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention) regarding the control of transboundary movements of electrical and electronic waste (EEW) and their proper management in Hong Kong.
The country is a party to the Basel Convention, and the Basel Convention is applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). In line with the requirements of relevant amendments to the Basel Convention, the Ordinance will accordingly place all EEW under the existing import and export permit control and enable the HKSAR to fulfil obligations under the Basel Convention, alongside the country.
The relevant amendments to the Basel Convention will take effect globally from January 1, 2025. By that time, the export of EEW is only allowed if the state of import and any states of transit have given their prior consent. This measure ensures that EEW undergoing transboundary movement will be properly managed in the state of import, thereby protecting the local environment and public health.
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said, "The Legislative Council passed the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill 2024 on November 20, 2024, so that all EEW will be controlled by the existing import and export permit system under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354). When the new control comes into effect on January 1, 2025, any person who imports EEW into, or exports EEW out of Hong Kong should obtain a permit from the EPD in advance."
The spokesman added, "For instance, EEW that the recycling trade has imported or exported previously (e.g. waste TV set-up boxes, waste routers, waste power supply units, waste hard disk drives, waste landline phones and waste keyboards) will be subject to control and permits will be required for their import or export. To facilitate the relevant trade to adapt to the new control, the EPD has promulgated the implementation details to the recycling industry, maritime and aviation trade through different channels. The EPD has also visited local EEW recycling facilities to further publicise the changes to operators. Relevant guidelines and information, including a straightforward dummies guide and at a glance summaries, have been uploaded to the EPD webpage (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_wiec_gp3.html).
Moreover, a six-month phasing-in period (i.e. January 1 to June 30, 2025) will be put in place when the new control takes effect. During the phasing-in period, the EPD will suitably exercise discretion when handling cases of non-compliance and will continue to assist the trade in complying with the new control through ongoing communications and strengthened promotional and education efforts.
For enquiries on the import and export permit control of EEW, please call 2755 5462 or email to wasteimportandexport@epd.gov.hk.
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony
Hong Kong Customs held a graduation parade for the Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony at the Hong Kong Customs College today (December 27).
During the graduation parade, 60 members of the Customs Youth Leader Corps (CYLC) and 22 in-service Customs personnel who were former CYLC members demonstrated the exceptional discipline and demeanour of the disciplined services through their uniform Chinese-style foot drill. The flag-raising ceremony was conducted by the Foot Drill and Flag Party of the CYLC, the first youth group under the Security Bureau to perform the Chinese-style rifle foot drill, fully reflecting the steadfast commitment of Customs in nurturing patriotism among young people.
The Executive Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Dr Eugene Chan, in his speech said that Customs YES continuously promotes youth development by organising activities such as national education, community services, Customs work experience, career orientation and discipline trainings with an aim to nurture youth leaders with a sense of responsibility, national identity and a global horizon. He also encouraged members to maintain the excellent qualities of the CYLC, namely courage, perseverance and integrity, in the future to contribute to the country and Hong Kong.
During the four-day training camp, participants underwent training on the Chinese-style foot drill, physical fitness and leadership to enhance their team spirit and leadership capabilities. They also visited the Customs Airport Command and the headquarters of the Government Flying Service, and gained a deeper understanding on their work through briefings and a helicopter flight experience.
Following the graduation parade, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, Dr Chan and the Director of the Executive Committee of Customs YES, Dr Mark Mak, officiated at the "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony. "YES Buddy" is the first 5G AI publicity robot of Customs. Led by Dr Mak and his team, members from the Innovation & Nurture: Customs YES Robotics Workshop took part in the design of the robot's appearance, functions and programming, embodying the creativity and practice of this innovation and technology learning.
Integrated with artificial intelligence, natural language processing and machine learning technologies, "YES Buddy" can give instant responses to public inquiries about customs work and Customs YES, as well as providing information on membership application matters and activities. Its database also covers knowledge on national security. In the future, "YES Buddy" will serve as a Customs YES ambassador to visit schools and youth gathering places to promote customs work and Customs YES activities, as well as encourage member recruitment and national security education.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to promote Customs YES with a view to fostering the all-round development of young people and nurturing a new generation of youth with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, with global perspectives and positive thinking.
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs holds graduation parade for Customs Youth Leader Corps Winter Training Camp 2024 and "YES Buddy" AI Robot Launching Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
