Introduction
The Government has launched a public consultation on the proposed amendments to the environmental hygiene-related legislation. The consultation period started from 21 November 2023 and has already ended on 21 January 2024.
The Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address that the Government would conduct a comprehensive review on the existing statutory powers and penalties of environmental hygiene-related legislation to enhance the Government's efficiency, effectiveness and deterrence in handling various thorny environmental hygiene problems, so as to achieve sustainable improvements in the environmental hygiene and cityscape of Hong Kong.
The legislative review had been conducted in two stages. Work under the first-stage related to raising the fixed penalty and the maximum fines which may be imposed by the court for offences related to environmental hygiene and shopfront extension has been implemented as planned. The new penalty level took effect on 22 October 2023.
Major Proposed Amendments
We have completed the second-stage legislative review and proposed to amend the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) and other related ordinances, supplemented by additional administrative measures, to enhance the efficiency and deterrence of enforcement, thereby achieving long-term improvements in the following "long-standing, big and difficult" environmental hygiene, public health nuisances and street management problems:
- shopfront extension;
- public health nuisances such as water seepage in buildings, water dripping from air-conditioners and "garbage apartments";
- proliferation of pests;
- occupation of public places (e.g. rear lanes) by miscellaneous articles causing obstruction to scavenging operations; and
- illegal display or affixation of bills or posters.
The preliminary proposals on the second-stage legislative amendments were put forth to the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council in July 2023. The document below serves to introduce the relevant details for public consultation.
Public Consultation (started from 21 November 2023 and has already ended on 21 January 2024)
Download Consultation Document
Comments are cordially invited on the proposed legislative amendments during the consultation period by using the e-form, or sending your comments by email, fax or post to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department:
Address: Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
45/F, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong
Fax number: (852) 2530 1368
Email address: eh_legislative_review@fehd.gov.hk