Author Archives: hksar gov

     Hong Kong Customs today (August 8) urged members of the public to stop using three types of whitening cream products containing excessive mercury. 

     Customs earlier received a referral from a relevant department regarding a mercury poisoning case after a patient used a type of whitening cream product. The test result revealed that the level of mercury in the product concerned was 23 000 parts per million. Later, Customs discovered that the levels of mercury in two other types of whitening cream products of the same brand reached 24 000 ppm. According to the relevant hygienic standard for cosmetics, the mercury content of the three types of whitening creams exceeded the maximum permitted limit by 23 000 times, 24 000 times and 24 000 times respectively, suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO). 

     Moreover, Customs also found that the three products concerned only bore warnings or cautions in English, without any Chinese warnings or cautions, suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation (CGSR), a subsidiary legislation of the CGSO.

     Customs immediately conducted an enforcement operation and deployed officers to a retailer concerned in Central to carry out an investigation. A total of 352 boxes of the three types of whitening creams were seized from the retailer. A 40-year-old man-in-charge and a 45-year-old saleswoman were arrested, and they have been released on bail pending further investigation. 

     The investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     A prohibition notice was served on the retailer connected with the case, prohibiting the continued sale of the three whitening cream products. 

     Apart from searching the retailer connected with the case, Customs officers also conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts, and sales of the three products concerned have not been found so far.

     According to medical advice, chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, memory deterioration, concentration difficulty, impaired hearing and vision, and change in the taste function. In severe cases, renal failure may occur.
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     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following tips when purchasing and using beauty products:
     • Do not buy or use beauty products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources;
     • Stop using the beauty products and seek medical attention immediately if feeling unwell after use; and
     • Purchase beauty products at reputable retail shops.

     Customs reminds employers that they should get their foreign domestic helpers’ attention to stop using the three products concerned immediately if they found that the helpers had purchased the products.

     Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. Under the CGSR, where consumer goods or their packages are marked with warnings or cautions with respect to their safe keeping, use, consumption or disposal, such warnings or cautions shall be in both English and Chinese languages. Moreover, the warning or caution phrases must be legibly and conspicuously shown on the goods, any package of the goods, a label securely affixed to the package or a document enclosed in the package. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on the first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on a subsequent conviction.

     Customs has been consistently combating the sale of products that fall short of the CGSO. Law enforcement action will be taken immediately if any violation of the CGSO is detected.

     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe or law-breaking consumer goods may make a report via Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or by filling in an online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

      

     Hong Kong Customs mounted an operation codenamed “Fencing” yesterday (August 7) and dismantled a money laundering syndicate receiving suspicious funds from the Asia-Pacific region. It was suspected that the syndicate masterminds and members made use of shell companies and cryptocurrency to launder crime proceeds amounting to about $1.5 billion. During the operation, Customs arrested four persons suspected to be connected with the case and has already arranged to freeze a total of about $2.2 million in assets held by the arrestees.

     Earlier this year, Customs officers identified a money laundering syndicate for a financial investigation. It was revealed that the suspects had received suspicious funds from the Asia-Pacific region through a couple of trading companies between August 2020 and August 2022, and the total transactions amounted to about $1.5 billion.

     After an in-depth investigation, Customs conducted an enforcement operation yesterday and arrested four persons, aged between 31 and 66, who were suspected of “dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as money laundering) under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO). The arrested persons consisted of two Asian men, one local woman and one local man. They were believed to be the masterminds and core and grassroots members in the case.

     In the operation, Customs officers also raided three residential and one commercial units, where a batch of items suspected to be connected with the case, including mobile phones, computers, company and bank documents, bank cards and cryptocurrency cold wallets, was seized.

     The investigation is ongoing. The four arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Under the OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.

     Members of the public may report any suspected money laundering activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 8).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more

     A woman was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for managing an employment agency (EA) without a valid licence in violation of the requirements under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) (EO). The woman was convicted at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (August 8) and was fined $12,000. The court also ordered the woman to refund the service fee of $32,400 to the job seeker concerned.
      
     In November 2023, the LD received a complaint against a woman from a job seeker. As subsequent investigations revealed sufficient evidence that the woman was managing an EA without a valid licence, the LD took out prosecution against her.
      
     All establishments or persons operating a business in Hong Kong for the purpose of obtaining employment for another person or supplying personnel to an employer are governed by Part XII of the EO and the Employment Agency Regulations (Cap. 57A). Irrespective of the mode of operation or the types of jobs referred, all EAs must obtain a licence issued by the LD before undertaking any EA activities. Except for the EA licence holder or his or her associates, no one shall operate, manage or assist in the management of an EA. Offenders may face prosecution.
      
     The LD reminds EAs to operate in full compliance with the law and the Code of Practice for EAs at all times. Failure to do so may lead to prosecution and/or revocation of licence. The maximum penalty for the offences of unlicensed operation of an EA or overcharging commissions from job seekers is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
      
     Should there be enquiries about matters related to EAs or complaints about suspected violations of EAs, please contact the Employment Agencies Administration of the LD (telephone: 2115 3667; email: ea-ee@labour.gov.hk; address: Unit 906, 9/F, One Mong Kok Road Commercial Centre, 1 Mong Kok Road, Kowloon). read more

     In response to the Japanese Government’s plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene issued a Food Safety Order which prohibits all aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds originating from the 10 metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, from being imported into and supplied in Hong Kong.
 
     For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt and seaweeds that are not prohibited from being imported into Hong Kong, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to verify that the radiation levels of these products do not exceed the guideline levels before they are allowed to be supplied in the market.
 
     As the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water is unprecedented and will continue for 30 years or more, the Government will closely monitor and step up the testing arrangements. Should anomalies be detected, the Government does not preclude further tightening the scope of the import ban.
 
     From noon on August 7 to noon today (August 8), the CFS conducted tests on the radiological levels of 153 food samples imported from Japan, which were of the “aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt” category. No sample was found to have exceeded the safety limit. Details can be found on the CFS’s thematic website titled “Control Measures on Foods Imported from Japan” (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html).

     In parallel, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has also tested 50 samples of local catch for radiological levels. All the samples passed the tests. Details can be found on the AFCD’s website (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/Radiological_testing/Radiological_Test.html).
 
     The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has also enhanced the environmental monitoring of the local waters. No anomaly has been detected so far. For details, please refer to the HKO’s website
(www.hko.gov.hk/en/radiation/monitoring/seawater.html).
 
     From August 24 to noon today, the CFS and the AFCD have conducted tests on the radiological levels of 74 647 samples of food imported from Japan (including 47 968 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds and sea salt) and 17 396 samples of local catch respectively. All the samples passed the tests. read more