The Consumer Council (“the Council”) and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (4 August) to further strengthen collaboration in areas including the safety and energy efficiency of household electrical products and domestic gas appliances. The collaboration will encompass closer information exchange, regular joint product testing, as well as enhanced publicity and public education efforts, with a view to helping consumers make smarter and more confident choices when selecting related products.
The signing ceremony was held at the EMSD Headquarters. Witnessed by Dr Alaina Shum, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, and Mr Poon Kwok-ying, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, the MOU was signed by Ms Catherine Kwan Chui-ching, Deputy Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, and Mr Arthur Lee Hok-yin, Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of Electrical and Mechanical Services.
Dr Alaina Shum, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, remarked in her speech that the Council had long been committed to providing consumers with objective and reliable information through product testing, research and education, “Over the years, the Council and EMSD have collaborated on numerous product tests covering various household electrical products and domestic gas appliances. The test results have served as a valuable reference for consumers making purchasing decisions. Our strengthened partnership with EMSD will further enhance the transparency and credibility of product testing for relevant electrical products and gas appliances, empowering consumers to compare product performance more easily and minimising uncertainty in their purchasing decisions. It will also help consumers take safety and energy efficiency into account when selecting products, enabling them to reduce household energy costs in the long run.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Poon Kwok-ying, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, remarked that as consumer needs continue to evolve and product technologies advance rapidly, both organisations recognise the need for closer collaboration in order to sustain and maximise each party’s respective strengths, “Hong Kong’s existing framework provides solid ground for consumers to choose compliant and more energy-efficient products through product safety requirements, energy labels and consumer protection measures. Looking ahead, we hope to leverage our professional expertise in different fields, through diverse forms of collaboration, to enable members of the public to select and use safe and energy-efficient electrical and mechanical products with greater confidence in their daily lives, jointly fostering a safer and more sustainable consumption environment.”
Strengthening Joint Product Testing and Information Dissemination to Promote Safety Standards and Professional Training
Under the MOU, the Council and EMSD will establish a long-term communication mechanism to exchange information on the latest developments in the market, product safety, energy efficiency, relevant legislation and good practices relating to household electrical products and domestic gas appliances regulated by EMSD. Through closer exchanges of knowledge and experience, both parties aim to enhance product quality and safeguard consumer safety. The two organisations will also arrange mutual visits and training to strengthen the professional knowledge and skills of relevant personnel.
In accordance with mutually agreed criteria, the Council will regularly select household electrical products and domestic gas appliances regulated by EMSD for joint product testing with EMSD. The results will be disseminated through CHOICE and various media platforms. These tests will provide consumers with useful product information, enabling them to make smarter and more confident choices.
The Council will also work with EMSD on publicity and public education initiatives to enhance public understanding of product safety and energy efficiency. Both parties will explore opportunities to expand collaboration with other organisations where appropriate, with a view to fostering exchanges and enhancing professional standards.
With the continuing integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the growing prevalence of cross-boundary consumption, the Council and EMSD have actively participated in exchanges relating to consumer protection and product safety in the GBA in recent years. Both parties have maintained close liaison with relevant regulatory authorities and consumer organisations in the Mainland to promote information sharing, consumer education and the enhancement of product safety standards. Earlier this year, the two organisations jointly participated in the “3·15 World Consumer Rights Day” event organised by the Shenzhen Consumer Council, demonstrating their support for stronger regional collaboration and the joint development of a trustworthy consumer environment in the GBA. The signing of the MOU will further strengthen the foundation for cooperation between the two parties, while supporting the evolving needs of the GBA consumer market and providing consumers with more comprehensive information on product safety and energy efficiency.
Image Captions
- The Consumer Council and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Witnessed by Dr Alaina Shum, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council (back row, right), and Mr Poon Kwok-ying, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (back row, left), the MOU is signed by Ms Catherine Kwan Chui-ching, Deputy Chief Executive of the Consumer Council (front row, right), and Mr Arthur Lee Hok-yin, Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of Electrical and Mechanical Services (front row, left), on behalf of their respective organisations.
- Dr Alaina Shum, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, delivers a speech.
- Mr Poon Kwok-ying, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, delivers a speech.
- Council representatives visit the E&M InnoZone at the EMSD Headquarters to learn about innovation and technology collaboration achievements between EMSD and academic and research institutions.
