Retailer convicted of supplying unsafe laser pointers

     A retailer was convicted and fined $8,000 in total today (November 14) at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for supplying unsafe laser pointers, in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO) and its subsidiary legislation, the Consumer Goods Safety Regulation (CGSR).

     Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation on a model of laser pointer from the retailer for safety testing. Test results revealed that the product was not equipped with the safety device components required under the relevant safety standard, such as a warning device, beam stop or attenuator. The laser pointer was also marked with a warning with respect to use in English only.

     Customs reminds members of the public to avoid eye contact with the light dots emitted by such laser pointers 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 any warning or caution with respect to their safe keeping, use, consumption or disposal, such a warning or caution shall be in both the English and the Chinese languages. The maximum penalty 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.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO or the CGSR to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).