To operate businesses in Hong Kong, you will need to observe the environmental protection ordinances and apply for permits and licences as required. Here you can learn about the legislation that has been enacted to protect the local environment, whether your business needs an environmental permit or licence, and how to apply for permits or licences.

Before determining whether you need to apply for an environmental permit or licence, you should be aware of the legal framework for environmental protection in Hong Kong. At present, the following pieces of legislation are related to environmental protection and the control of pollution:

• Air Pollution Control Ordinance
• Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance
• Water Pollution Control Ordinance
• Waste Disposal Ordinance
• Dumping at Sea Ordinance
• Noise Control Ordinance
• Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
• Hazardous Chemicals Control Ordinance
• Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance

Each of these ordinances sets out requirements for permits or licences if you or your company intends to be involved in any of the controlled activities.

• More on the environmental laws and regulations
  http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/business/laws.htm

If your business or premises is involved in any of the following activities, you may need to apply for an environmental licence or permit:

• Specified polluting processes
• Installation or alteration of furnaces, ovens and chimneys
• Open burning
• Asbestos-related activities
• Construction work
• Production, sale, rental or use of an air compressor
• Production, sale, rental or use of a handheld percussive breaker
• Discharge of trade effluent 
• Production, collection or disposal of chemical waste 
• Importation or exportation of waste
• Use or sale of oil dispersants or similar substances for treating oil at sea in Hong Kong
• Marine dumping activities
• Import, export, manufacture or use of non-pesticide hazardous chemicals
• Collection of plastic shopping bags levy by prescribed retailers at qualified outlets

If you are still unsure whether you need a licence, you can contact the customer service hotline of the Environmental Protection Department at 2838 3111.

• Who should apply for environmental permits and licences
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/guidance/qkguidepermits.html
• More on the Environmental Protection Department’s Customer Service Centre
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/how_help/report_pollution/csc_more.html

Online application is available for permits and licences in the following areas:

• Air pollution control
• Waste disposal
• Water pollution control
• Noise control
• Environmental impact assessment

You can also download application forms and guidance notes for permits and licences in the following areas:

• Air pollution control
• Environmental impact assessment
• Dumping at sea
• Grease trap waste disposal
• Noise control
• Waste disposal
• Water pollution control
• Hazardous chemicals control
• Product eco-responsibility (plastic shopping bags levy)

• Online application service
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/epic/english/licence.html
• Application forms
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/applic_froms/forms.html
• More on application fees and charges for licences and permits
  http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/application_for_licences/applic_froms/newfee.html