Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected unsafe laser pointer (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized a model of a suspected unsafe laser pointer from a retailer in Sham Shui Po on August 23, in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO) and its subsidiary legislation, the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation (CGSR).

     Customs officers conducted a test-buy operation in March this year on a model of laser pointer from a retailer in Sham Shui Po for safety testing and ordered the retailer to store 13 laser pointers of the model without bilingual warnings or cautions in specified places. Test results revealed that the product was not equipped with the safety control device required under the relevant safety standard. The laser pointer was also marked with a warning with respect to use in English only.

     Customs officers then conducted an operation last Friday and seized those 13 laser pointers from the retailer. A prohibition notice was served on the retailer, prohibiting the continued sale of the relevant laser pointer.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to avoid eye contact with the light dots emitted by such laser pointer under any circumstances as the beam emitted by the type of laser pointer can pose eye and skin injuries to users.

     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. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Customs also appeals to traders to comply with the requirements of the CGSO and CGSR.

     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe consumer goods may make a report via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).