The Government had today (Wednesday) re-affirmed the coming into effect of the Ozone Layer Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation from 1 January 1994.
In October 1998, it was noted that the commencement notice published in December 1993 to give effect to the regulation was placed in the Government Notice instead of the Legal Notice where subsidiary legislation should be published. As a result, the notice was not tabled in the then Legislative Council .
A second commencement notice was recently published and tabled in the Legislative Council.
A spokesman for the Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau said, "After thorough discussion with the Legislative Council, we accept their view that the original commencement notice was valid."
"With the first commencement notice being effective, the second commencement notice was unnecessary and does not carry any legal effect."
The spokesman said that the Administration regretted any confusion caused. The loose-leaf edition of the laws will be amended to reflect that the Ozone Layer Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation came into effect on January 1, 1994.
The Regulation was introduced on Hong Kong's own initiative to better protect the ozone layer as well as to conserve Hong Kong's stock of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) for use in existing air conditioning equipment in view of the gradual phasing out of controlled refrigerants.
Relevant trades, mostly owners/operators of industrial/commercial refrigeration systems and proprietors of garages or vehicle scrap-yards, are well aware of the requirements under the Regulation and have already taken steps to comply with them.
"We will continue to closely liaise with the trades concerned to ensure full compliance with the requirements under the Regulation," he added.
End/Wednesday, February 10, 1999
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