Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Water Pollution Control
Ordinance (WPCO)
Water Pollution Control
(General) Regulations
Water Pollution Control
(Sewage) Regulation
Requirements
The WPCO provides for the declaration of
Water Control Zone (WCZs) and the
establishment of water quality objectives, and
requires that effluent discharge in a WCZ
must have a license from the Environmental
Protection Department (EPD). The licenses
are normally valid for five years and have to
be renewed. The EPD may require the
licensee to undertake regular monitoring of
the discharge and submit the analysis results
to the EPD. However, the EPD has authority
to take independent samples for confirmatory
analysis.
These regulations specify the licence
application procedures and licence
application fees for licences granted under
the WPCO, and other matters related to the
WPCO.
The Regulation requires owners of private
premises to collect and convey their effluent
discharge to communal sewers, and provides
for control over the operation and
maintenance of private wastewater treatment
facilities.
Relevant Reference Publications
A Guide to the Water Pollution Control
Ordinance (Aug 97)
Technical Memorandum on Standards for
Effluents Discharged into Drainage and
Sewerage Systems, Inland and Coastal
Waters (Feb 91)
Connection to Sewers under the Water
Pollution Control Ordinance (leaflet) (Oct 94)
Grease Traps for Restaurants and Food
Processors (Jul 96)
Guidelines for the Design of small Sewage
Treatment Plants (Mar 90)
Sewage Services
Ordinance (SSO)
The SSO provides for the imposition of
sewage charges (SC), trade effluent
surcharges (TES) and other related matters.
The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is
the authority to enforce the Ordinance and its
subsidiary regulations.
Register of Legal Requirements
Areas of Applicability
The major sources of aqueous discharge
includes wastewater from kitchens, which
is likely to contain high oil and grease
content, and wastewater from laundry
and toilet facilities, which is expected to
have high Biological Oxygen Demand
(BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD), suspended solids and E-coli
content. The wastewater from a laundry
may contain high concentrations of
chemicals if the detergents used are
inappropriate. Wastewater from
engineering and building maintenance
activities are also significant sources of
discharge. The wastewater from hair
salons and swimming pools may contain
a certain amount of chemicals that hotel
operators should be aware of and keep
under control.
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant
to the activities and operations of the
following departments:
F&B Department (kitchens)
Housekeeping Department (including
laundry)
Engineering Department
All hotels are subject to pay SC and TES.
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Sewage Services
(Sewage Charge)
Regulation
Sewage Services (Trade
Effluent Surcharge)
Regulation
Air Pollution Control
Ordinance (APCO)
Air Pollution Control (Air
Control Zones)
(Declaration)
(Consolidation) Order
Air Control Zones
(Consolidation) Statement
of Air Quality Objectives
Air Pollution Control
(Asbestos)
(Administration)
Regulation
Requirements
The Regulation specifies the charging
scheme for SC. All wastewater generators
including domestic, commercial and
industrial generators are required to pay the
SC.
The Regulation specifies the charging
scheme for TES. 30 types of industrial or
commercial operations stated in Schedule 1
of this Regulation are required to pay the
TES in addition to the SC.
The APCO applies to all polluting
processes from which air pollutants are
emitted. Hong Kong is divided into ten Air
Control Zones and level of air pollutants
emitted at each Air Control Zone shall not
exceed the Air Quality Objectives. The
legislative control on asbestos came into
operation in June 1997.
Relevant Reference Publications
Areas of Applicability
A Concise Guide to the Air Pollution Control
Ordinance (July 99)
The operation of and emissions from boilers,
cooking stoves and electrical generators
should comply with the relevant regulations
and the emission standards set by
legislation. Approval is required for the
installation or alteration of any fuel using
equipment and chimney. Other air pollutant
emission such as exhaust gas from kitchens
and laundry should also be minimised.
Technical Memorandum for Issuing Air
Pollution Abatement Notices to Control Air
Pollution from Stationary Pollution Processes
Environmental Asbestos Control (leaflet)
The Order provides for consolidated
declaration of Air Control Zones.
The Objectives stipulate the maximum
acceptable concentration of 7 major
pollutants (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide, carbon monoxide, photochemical
oxidants, lead, total suspended particulates
and respirable suspended particulates)
The Regulation provides for the registration
of asbestos personnel.
For removal of asbestos containing material
in the hotel, the hotel owner or responsible
person shall engage a registered asbestos
consultant to carry out an asbestos
investigation, and the asbestos abatement
work shall be carried out by a registered
asbestos contractor under the supervision of
the registered consultant.
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant to
the activities and operations of the following
departments:
Housekeeping Department (laundry)
F&B Department (kitchens)
Engineering Department
Register of Legal Requirements
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Air Pollution Control
(Furnaces, Ovens and
Chimneys) (Installation
and Alteration)
Regulations
Air Pollution Control
(Smoke) Regulations
Air Pollution Control (Fuel
Restriction) Regulations
Air Pollution Control (Dust
and Grit Emission)
Regulations
Requirements
The Regulation prevents air pollution
caused by the installation of unsuitably
designed furnaces, ovens and chimneys, or
alterations to such plants. Prior approval
from the EPD shall be obtained before
installation or alteration of such system.
These Regulations control smoke emission
from any chimney, oven, engine, furnace or
industrial plant.
These Regulations prohibit the use of fuel
with high sulphur content
These Regulations stipulate the procedures
and requirements for assessing emissions
to the atmosphere that are controlled under
the APCO. The main objective of these
regulations is to enable the EPD to have a
better control over dust and grit emissions
from furnaces, ovens, chimneys, flues or
industrial plants.
Relevant Reference Publications
A Guide to the Air Pollution Control (Furnaces,
Ovens & Chimneys) (Installation and
Alternation) Regulations (August 99)
A Guide to the Air Pollution Control (Smoke)
Regulations (Sep 91)
A Guide to the Air Pollution Control (Fuel
Restriction) Regulations (Mar 93)
Code of Good Practices for the Operation of
Liquid Fuel-Fired Commercial, Industrial and
Domestic Appliances (Mar 90)
A Guide to the Air Pollution Control (Dust &
Grit emission) Regulation (Jan 89)
Register of Legal Requirements
Areas of Applicability
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Ozone Layer Protection
Ordinance (OLPO)
Requirements
The OLPO controls the manufacture, import
and export of ozone depleting substances
through registration and licensing
provisions, and unintentionally venting of
controlled refrigerants to the atmosphere.
Relevant Reference Publications
A Concise Guide to the Ozone Layer
Protection Ordinance (1995)
A Guide to the Control of Ozone Depleting
Chemicals in Hong Kong (1995)
Cooling without CFC: An Action Guide (leaflet)
(1995)
Ozone Layer Protection
(Products Containing
Scheduled Substances)
(Import Banning)
Regulation
Ozone Layer Protection
(Controlled Refrigerants)
Regulation
Road Traffic Ordinance
(RTO)
Road Traffic (Construction
and Maintenance of
Vehicles) Regulation
The Regulation prohibits the import of a
controlled product from any country or
place which is not bound by the terms of
the Montreal Protocol to Hong Kong.
The Regulation bans any intended venting
of controlled refrigerants except in
unforeseen situations and requires keeping
of records of controlled refrigerants in
relation to refrigeration or air conditioning
equipment installed on premises and in
motor vehicles.
The RTO provides for the regulation of road
traffic, the use of vehicles and roads, and
for other purposes connected therewith. It
also includes provisions to limit pollution
from vehicles such as requiring smoky
vehicles to be tested at a vehicle emissiontesting centre.
The Regulation specifies smoke or visible
vapour emission levels for motor vehicles
for law enforcement.
Refrigeration, Life after CFC Phase out
(leaflet) (1995)
A Concise Guide to the Ozone Layer
Protection (Products Containing Scheduled
Substances) (Import Banning) Regulation
(1995)
A Concise Guide to the Ozone Layer
Protection (Controlled Refrigerants) Regulation
(1995)
Areas of Applicability
The refrigerants used in air-conditioning or
chiller plant systems, and in service vehicles
in some hotels may contain scheduled
ozone depleting substances. Any intended
venting of controlled refrigerants to the
environment is legally prohibited. The hotel
staff responsible shall therefore take
appropriate measures, such as periodic
checking and maintenance, to minimise the
leakage of refrigerants to the atmosphere.
The staff should also arrange periodic
checking of all fire extinguishers that may
contain ozone-depleting substances, to
ensure that leakage is minimised.
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant to
the activities and operations of the following
departments:
Engineering Department
Front Office (Concierge)
Security Department
Purchasing Department
Smoke or visible vapour generated from
hotel’s service vehicles comes under the
control of this Ordinance and is required to
comply with the standard specified in the
Regulation.
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant to
the activities and operations of the following
departments:
Front Office (Concierge)
Register of Legal Requirements
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Waste Disposal
Ordinance (WDO)
Requirements
The WDO provides the principal
statutory framework for the control and
regulation of the production, storage,
collection and disposal including the
treatment, reprocessing and recycling of
waste. It prohibits any person from
using any land for the disposal of
wastes unless he has been authorised
or he has obtained a licence from the
EPD.
Relevant Reference Publications
Recovering and Recycling of Municipal Solid
Waste in Hong Kong (Waste Reduction Factsheet
no. 1) (Sep 99)
Recovering and Recycling of Paper Waste in Hong
Kong (Waste Reduction Factsheet no. 2) (Sep 99)
Recovering and Recycling of Plastic Waste in
Hong Kong (Waste Reduction Factsheet no. 3)
(Sep 99)
Recovering and Recycling of Expanded
Polystyrene (EPS) Products in Hong Kong (Waste
Reduction Factsheet no. 4) (Sep 99)
Recovering and Recycling of Metal Waste in Hong
Kong (Waste Reduction Factsheet no. 5) (Sep 99)
Recovering and Recycling of Waste Glass Bottles
in Hong Kong (Waste Reduction Factsheet no. 6)
(Sep 99)
Waste Reduction and Recycling Hotline 2755 2750
(Waste Reduction Factsheet no. 7) (Sep 99)
Guideline on Plastic Coding System for Resin
Identification (Aug 99)
Waste Facilities Business Unit (WFBU) (Fact
Sheets) (Apr 99)
Guideline on the Reduction of Disposable
Styrofoam Food/Drink Containers(Jul 99)
Waste Reduction Framework Plan 1998-2007 (Nov
98)
Register of Legal Requirements
Areas of Applicability
The major sources of solid waste are from
guestrooms, offices, restaurants, bars and
kitchens whereas the chemical wastes are
generally from laundry, clinics and
engineering and building maintenance, such
as waste lubricating oil, expired drugs, etc.
General solid waste arising from Hotel
Generic Hong Kong is classified as
commercial waste. The hotel has to arrange
for proper disposal of their waste (e.g.
engage the service of private waste
collectors).
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant to
the activities and operations of all
departments.
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Waste Disposal (Permits
and Licences) (Forms and
Fees) Regulation
Waste Disposal (Chemical
Waste) (General)
Regulation
Requirements
This Regulation prescribes the forms and fees for
application for permits or licences for waste import and
export, collection and disposal.
This Regulation requires chemical waste producers to
be registered with EPD and specifies requirements for
the packaging, labelling, storage, collection,
transportation and disposal of chemical waste.
Registration is an one-off requirement and not subject
to renewal.
Relevant Reference Publications
A Guide to the Chemical Waste Control Scheme
(Sep 92)
A Guide to the Registration of Chemical Waste
Producers (May 97)
Code of Practice on the Packaging, Labelling and
Storage of Chemical Wastes (Oct 92)*
Code of Practice on the Handling, Transportation and
Disposal of Asbestos Waste (Jan 93)*
Code of Practice on the Handling, Transportation &
Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Wastes (Dec
92)*
Guidance Note for ozone Depleting Substances
(ODS) Destruction at the Chemical Waste Treatment
Centre (CWTC) (Jun 98)
Waste Disposal (Charges
for Disposal of Chemical
Waste) Regulation (This
regulation has not yet been
enforced)
Waste Disposal (Charges
for Disposal of Waste)
(Amendment) Regulation
Waste Disposal (Refuse
Transfer Station)
Regulation
This Regulation specifies the charge payable to the
EPD for the disposal of chemical waste and special
chemical waste at the Chemical Waste Treatment
Centre (CWTC).
This Regulation introduces charges for waste disposal
at landfills by private waste collectors. This Regulation
has not yet been enforced.
This Regulation provides for the introduction of a
charging scheme for waste disposal at refuse transfer
stations (the Island East Transfer Station, the West
Kowloon Transfer Station and the North Lantau
Transfer Station) by private waste collectors.
Register of Legal Requirements
Areas of Applicability
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Noise Control
Ordinance (NCO)
Requirements
The NCO provides the statutory control
over environmental noise generated
from factories, commercial including
ventilation noise and domestic activities.
Relevant Reference Publications
A Concise Guide to the Noise Control
Ordinance (Jun 96)
Technical Memorandum, for the
Assessment of Noise from Places other
than Domestic Premises, Public Places or
Construction Sites (Jun 97)
A Practical Guide for the Reduction of
Industrial Noise (Oct 89)
What to do when you receive a Noise
Abatement Notice (May 89)
Dangerous Goods
Ordinance (DGO)
Dangerous Goods
(Application &
Exemption) Regulations
Dangerous Goods
(General) Regulations
The DGO and its subsidiary regulations
provide for the control of the
manufacture, handling, labelling,
storage and transport of dangerous
goods. No person shall manufacture,
store, convey or use any dangerous
goods without a valid licence.
These Regulations identified about 450
dangerous substances which are
classified into 10 categories.
These Regulations specify the
requirements for application of a
licence, and provide general provisions
relating to storage, conveyance and
packing of dangerous goods in each
category. In addition, a list of prohibited
substances is provided in these
Regulations.
Fire Protection Notice No. 4 – Dangerous
Goods General**
Areas of Applicability
The possible sources of noise are from night-clubs and
bars, HVAC systems, laundries, kitchens, fire alarm
systems, engineering and building maintenance
activities, and alarms on vehicles. Hotel operators
should take appropriate measures to reduce the
emanation of environmental noise. To achieve a
comfortable environment and good image to customers
and neighbours, the control of noise is an important
aspect of good hotel management.
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant to the
activities and operations of the following departments:
F&B Department
Engineering Department
Housekeeping Department (laundry)
Security Department
The storage, handling and disposal of any dangerous
goods, such as the fuel oil for the operation of boiler
plant and any chemicals used in the chlorinating
process for a swimming pool shall be kept under
control.
The Ordinance / Regulations are relevant to the
activities and operations of the following departments:
Engineering Department
Register of Legal Requirements
Hotel Generic Hongkong
Ordinance/Regulation
Radiation Ordinance
(RO)
Radiation (Control of
Radioactive
Substances)
Regulations
Requirements
The RO controls the import, export, possession and use of radioactive
substances and irradiating apparatus and the prospecting and mining
for radioactive minerals for purposes connected thereto.
These Regulations control the handling, storage and disposal of
radioactive substances.
Reference Publications
Areas of Applicability
Radioactive substances are commonly
used in fire detection system and
therefore storage, handling and
disposal of such materials shall follow
guidelines and requirements specified
in the legislation.
The Ordinance / Regulations are
relevant to the activities and operations
of the following departments:
Public Health and
Municipal Services
Ordinance (RHMSO)
The RHMSO makes provision for public health and municipal services.
It includes control of:
(a) discharge of solid matter and hazardous materials to sewers or
drains;
(b) nuisance caused by emission of dust, fumes or effluvia from any
premises, and emission of air either above or below the temperature
of the external air;
(c) nuisance caused by discharge of water from the ventilating system
in premises;
(d) storage of litter or waste in buildings;
(e) accumulation of water likely to contain larvae or pupae of
mosquitoes;
(f) nuisances from latrines and sanitary conveniences;
(g) operations relating to laundries and dry cleaning establishments;
(h) cleanliness of swimming pool and the purity of its water;
(i) food and drug hygiene;
(j) nuisance caused by overcrowding in tenements, hotels and
boarding houses;
(k) accessibility of light and ventilation to tenements, hotels and
boarding houses;
(l) ventilation rate in Scheduled Premises.
Security Department
Engineering Department
Operations related to solid waste
storage, emission of pollutants to the
air, laundry establishments, the
handling of wastewater, sanitary
conveniences, food and drugs, etc., fall
under control of the Ordinance, in
respect of public health and
environmental impacts. Cleanliness of
swimming pool and the purity of its
water are under control of the
Ordinance, with the object to avoid
communicable diseases. The
Ordinance also provides for control
over hotel operations in relation to
overcrowding, ventilation and light
intensity.
The Ordinance / Regulations are
relevant to the activities and operations
of all departments.
Notes: Reference publications marked with * and ** are issued by Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau and Fire Services Department respectively. Other reference
publications are issued by Environmental Protection Department. A full set of Laws of Hong Kong is available at the homepage: http://www.justice.gov.hk/home.htm.
Register of Legal Requirements