Hong Kong applies a number of international environmental protection conventions and has enacted a series of laws and regulations as part of the Government's commitment to environmental protection. Here you can learn more about these areas of concern, and how you can access guidelines or ordinance content that may affect your industry or business.

Currently, Hong Kong is applying international conventions in the following areas:

• Conservation
• Global climate change
• Hazardous waste
• Marine pollution
• Ozone layer protection
• Persistent organic pollutants

• More on the international environmental protection conventions that apply to Hong Kong
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/international_conventions/international_convention.html

Environmental protection legislation has been enacted in seven major areas.

Air Pollution Control Ordinance provides for the control of activities that produce air-borne emissions, such as:

• Specified processes, including aluminium works, cement works and ceramic works
• The installation or alteration of fuel-burning equipment and chimneys
• Activities that involve the use or handling of asbestos
• Construction works
• Open burning   

• More on the Air Pollution Control Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/application_maincontent32.html

Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance controls the importation and exportation of ozone depleting substances.

• More on the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/wn6_licen.html

Water Pollution Control Ordinance covers:

• Effluent from industrial, institutional and commercial premises
• The discharge of domestic sewage from institutional and commercial premises in un-sewered areas
• Domestic sewage treatment plants and domestic premises in un-sewered areas

• More on Water Pollution Control Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/application_maincontent33.html

Waste Disposal Ordinance controls pollution caused by all forms of waste.

• More on the Waste Disposal Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/application_maincontent34.html

Dumping at Sea Ordinance controls activities that involve the marine dumping of dredged mud or the use of oil dispersants and similar substances.

• More on the Dumping at Sea Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/application_maincontent35.html

Noise Control Ordinance provides controls to restrict and reduce specific sources of environmental noise.

• More on the Noise Control Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/application_maincontent36.html

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance avoids, minimises and controls the adverse environmental impact of designated projects.

• More on the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/application_maincontent37.html

Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance regulates the import, export, manufacture and use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals.

• More on the Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/international_conventions/pops/hcco3.html

These ordinances are enforced through the issuance of licences and permits for controlled activities. The failure to hold a valid licence or permit when engaging in such activities can result in penalty and imprisonment. 

• Summary of environmental legislation
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/laws_regulations/envir_legislation/laws_overview.html
• Environmental protection legislation enforcement statistics
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/laws_regulations/enforcement/enforstatistics.html
• Applying for environmental licences and permits
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/business/permits.htm

If your industry or business is subject to control by environmental protection legislation, you can refer to the compliance guides for and the exact content of the respective ordinances through the following links.

• More on compliance guides
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/laws_regulations/comp_guides/laws_maincontent_cg.html
• Environmental legislation content
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/laws_regulations/envir_legislation/laws_maincontent_lor.html
• Environmental Guide for Smart Business
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/BusinessGuide/index.htm