*************************************

The Government will introduce the Waste Disposal (Amendment) Bill 2003 into the Legislative Council for the implementation of the Clinical Waste Control Scheme in 2004, a spokesman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said today (June 18).

Subject to the passing of the Bill, its enactment will introduce the control scheme to protect the community from the potential health risk posed by clinical waste, the spokesman said.

The Bill will define clinical waste and introduce licensing schemes, to be administrated by the Environmental Protection Department, for the collection and disposal of clinical waste.

"Upon the passing of the Bill, we will introduce a Regulation to set out the detailed requirements for the disposal of clinical waste," he said.

"We will also issue Codes of Practice for waste producers and collectors to provide guidance on the proper management of clinical waste," the spokesman added.

The Bill will also impose control on the disposal of imported waste and provide legal backing to the international ban prohibiting the export of hazardous waste from developed countries (known as the "Basel Ban").

"The present exemption from permit requirement in regard to the import of recyclable waste provides opportunities for exploitation and may lead to the disposal of such waste in Hong Kong," the spokesman explained.

"To plug this loophole, the Bill proposes that the disposal of non-hazardous waste imported for recycling shall require prior authorisation," he said.

"The Director of Environmental Protection will only grant such authorisation if an applicant can prove that he has exhausted all possible recycling outlets and all means to return his waste to the place of origin.

"The applicant will be required to pay the full disposal cost," he added.

The Basal Ban has been administratively implemented since 1998. Importation of hazardous waste from a list of developed countries is strictly prohibited. The relevant arrangement has been made known to both local and overseas traders.

"The Bill will set out the Basal Ban in clear terms in the Waste Disposal Ordinance.

"This would send a strong signal to the international community regarding Hong Kong's commitment to enforcing the Basal Ban," the spokesman noted.

The Bill, to be published in the Gazette on June 20, will be introduced into the Legislative Council on June 25.

End/Wednesday, June 18, 2003

NNNN