A spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (November 15) said that the EMSD launched a restaurant inspection operation from June to October this year to step up publicity on the proper and safe use of portable LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cassette cookers to reduce gas-safety risks.
During the operation, the EMSD inspected over 1 300 restaurants across the territory and reminded the persons-in-charge and staff of the restaurants to use portable LPG cassette cookers which have been approved by the Gas Authority and bear a "GU" mark. The spokesman said if non-approved cassette cookers were found, the officers would seize the cookers and issue a warning to the person-in-charge of the restaurant. Prosecutions will be initiated for any contravention of the Gas Safety Ordinance.
Under the Gas Safety (Miscellaneous) Regulations, all domestic gas appliances, including portable LPG cassette cookers, cookers and water heaters, which are imported, sold or supplied for use in Hong Kong, shall have written approval from the Gas Authority and bear a "GU" mark. Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable on a first conviction to a fine at level six ($100,000) and to imprisonment for 12 months.
The EMSD has been adopting a multipronged approach to prevent non-approved domestic gas appliances from being imported into Hong Kong for sale or use, including collaboration with relevant Mainland authorities to prevent and control the sale of such gas appliances from the Mainland to Hong Kong through cross-boundary e-commerce platforms, close monitoring of local e-commerce platforms and regular inspections of physical shops to combat the supply of non-approved gas appliances. Moreover, the EMSD conducts publicity and education work through various channels to remind the public and the trade not to bring non-approved gas appliances into Hong Kong for use from overseas or the Mainland, or purchase those gas appliances on cross-boundary e-commerce platforms for import into Hong Kong.
The EMSD reminded the public and persons-in-charge of restaurants to observe gas safety at all times when using portable LPG cassette cookers. For gas safety tips on using portable LPG cassette cookers, please visit the EMSD's website.
Members of the public may report any suspected use of non-approved portable LPG cassette cookers by restaurants to serve customers, or the supply or sale of such cookers, to the Gas Standards Office of the EMSD at 2808 3683 or 1823.
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