I.      GENERAL

The Consumer Council was established in April 1974 at a time of inflationary prices and widespread public concern about profiteering.

About 95% of the Council's funds came from the government.  Other sources of income (about 5%) included proceeds from the sale of the Council's publications. Although the main financial source of the Council is in the form of an annual Government subvention, the Council discharges its responsibilities and functions in accordance with the Consumer Council Ordinance, which was enacted in July 1977. To maintain its independence, the Council does not accept commercial sponsorship nor advertising for its activities and its CHOICE magazine.[1]

II.    COUNCIL & COMMITTEES

The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Members are all appointed by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR for a term not exceeding 2 years.  They may be reappointed upon expiry of their respective terms of office.

The Full Council meets once every two months with the support of other committees and working groups established to examine specific areas of consumer concerns.  The Council invites from time to time professionals of relevant disciplines as co-opted Members for their expertise to facilitate studies in specific fields.

The Chief Executive (CE) heads the Consumer Council Office.  Underpinned by the Deputy Chief Executive, the CE is responsible for the implementation of the Council's decisions and assists in policy formulation.  The Consumer Council Office is divided into 6 Divisions.  Most of the staff members work in the Head Office; the others are stationed at the 8 Consumer Advice Centres throughout the territory.  The Organisation Chart of the Consumer Council's Office is at the Appendix .

Appendix I
Organisation of Consumer Council

*Committees / Working Groups:

Staff & Finance Committee
Audit Committee
Competition Policy Committee
Legal Protection Committee
Publicity & Community Relations Committee
Research & Testing Committee 
Trade Practices Committee
Consumer Complaints Review Committee
Advisory Group on Investment Strategy
Task Force for Strategic Plan Development
Task Group on Council's Follow-up on Audit Commission Report
Trade Liaison Working Group
Working Group on CCRC Building Management
Working Group on Consumer Issues relating to Residential Property
Working Group on Improvement of Consumer Protection Laws
Working Group on Web-based Services & Computer Network
Board of Administrators of the Consumer Legal Action Fund

**Address: 3 Ashley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon

Appendix II
Membership of Consumer Council (as from October 1, 2008)

Chairman	Prof. The Hon. Anthony CHEUNG Bing-leung, BBS, JP
Vice-Chairman	Mr. Ambrose HO, SC, JP
Members	Mr. William CHAN Che-kwong The Hon. Paul CHAN Mo-po, MH, JP Dr. Polly CHEUNG Suk-yee Mr. Raymond CHOY Wai-shek, MH, JP Mrs. Christine FUNG TAM Pui-ling Prof. Ron HUI Shu-yuen Mr. Ernest IP Koon-wing Mr. Joe LAI Wing-ho Rev. Billy LAU Kam-sing Mr. Philip LEUNG Kwong-hon Mr. Michael LI Hon-shing, BBS, JP Mr. Brian LI Man-bun The Hon. Fred LI Wah-ming, JP Ms. Amanda LIU Lai-yun Mr. Allen MA Kam-sing Ms. Anita MA Wing-tseung Prof. WONG Yung-hou Ms. Irene YAU Oi-yuen Mrs. Lily YEW KUIN King-suk Mr. Homer YU Sau-ning, MH