The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat: The meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee (FC) originally scheduled at 3pm tomorrow (November 30) in Conference Room 1 of the L… read more
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, November 29, 2018 is 105.7 (down 0.3 against yesterday’s index). read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 80th meeting, held in November 2018:
Revisions to the Code of Practice on Verification of the Addresses of Potential Customers for Mobile Telecommunications Services
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Taking into account views and comments received from the industry and relevant stakeholders, the CA approved the revisions to the Code of Practice on Verification of the Addresses of Potential Customers for Mobile Telecommunications Services (the revised CoP). The revised CoP provides practical guidance to mobile service providers in respect of the verification of the addresses of potential customers when they enter into commercial arrangements with the service providers for use of mobile services and the documents that are considered to be acceptable proof of address from the customers. The revised CoP contains enhancements to cater for the evolving industry practices such as online transactions for mobile service subscriptions.
The revised CoP should be observed and complied with by all providers of mobile telecommunications services, including holders of the unified carrier licence, services-based operator licence, and class licence for offer of telecommunications services under section 8(1)(aa) of the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106).
The revised CoP is available from the CA’s website (www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/statement/en/upload/479/cop201805e.pdf) and will be brought into effect one month from the date of the issue, i.e. on December 29, 2018.
Renewal of other licensable television programme service (other licensable TV) licences
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The CA approved the applications of Kowloon Panda Hotel Limited, Gala Hotels Limited, Shangri-La Hotel (Kowloon) Limited, Bauhinia Hotels Limited and Sheraton International (Hong Kong) Limited for renewal of their respective other licensable TV licences for the provision of television programme services to hotel rooms in Hong Kong for a period of 12 years. Including the five licensees mentioned above, there are 22 other licensable TV licensees providing services to more than 70 hotels in Hong Kong. read more
The outdoor "Concert in the Park 2018" will be held on Sunday (December 2) from 1.30pm to 7pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, featuring performances by 11 music groups. Members of the public are welcome to attend … read more
The owners of Speedy Motor Service on Ka Shin Street and Lee Tak Motors Repairer on Lok Kwan Street in Tai Kok Tsui illegally handled spent lubricating oil and were fined a total of $49,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (November 29) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted a blitz inspection in May this year and found that Speedy Motor Service and Lee Tak Motors Repairer arbitrarily placed the spent lubricating oil, which is classified as chemical waste, inside their garages after replacing lubricating oil for their customers. The spent lubricating oil was not labelled or stored in a proper leakproof device as stipulated by the law. Upon investigation, the EPD confirmed that the aforementioned owners of the repair garages did not register with the department as chemical waste producers. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the two owners concerned for contravening the Regulation.
An EPD spokesman explained that spent lubricating oil generated from vehicle maintenance is classified as chemical waste and contains various toxic chemicals. Improper handling of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby drains and soil, which pollutes the environment and causes harm to public health.
The spokesman reminded all repair garage operators and workers engaged in the vehicle repair business that they should register as chemical waste producers with the EPD in accordance with the above Regulation. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for treatment. In addition, for replacement of lubricating oil or batteries, vehicle owners should engage the services of vehicle repair garages or companies that have registered with the EPD.
Under the Regulation, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
Members of the public may visit the EPD’s website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html. read more