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The following orders and regulations will be gazetted on October 26 and tabled in the Legislative Council on October 31 -
(a) the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Amendment of Schedule 16) Order 2007;
(b) the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 2007;
(c) the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 2006 (Amendment) Regulation 2007; and
(d) the Dangerous Goods (Consignment by Air) (Safety) Regulations (Amendment of Schedule) Order 2006 (Amendment) Order 2007.
These legislative amendments seek to implement the latest requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), set out in a new edition (i.e. the 2007-08 edition) of the ICAO's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said today (October 24). The aviation industry has been consulted and generally supports the legislative proposals.
The spokesman added, "This edition emphasises the need to strengthen the prevention of hidden dangerous goods (deliberately or inadvertently not declared) and the improper carriage of dangerous goods by passengers".
The relevant changes in the 2007-08 edition include the following -
(a) requiring the staff of freight forwarders and airlines who are responsible for processing and handling mail and stores as well as security screeners who deal with them to undergo dangerous goods training;
(b) introducing a qualification requirement for instructors of dangerous goods training courses;
(c) requiring airlines' handling agents to provide information for passengers about the types of dangerous goods that are not allowed to be carried during air travel; and
(d) requiring check-in staff to seek confirmation from air passengers that they have not carried dangerous goods that are not allowed to be carried during air travel.
The target commencement date of the legislative amendments in (a) to (c) above is January 1, 2008, whereas that of those in (d) above will be a day to be appointed by the Director-General of Civil Aviation.
Dangerous goods in the context of air transport include explosives, compressed gas, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidising substances, toxic substances, infectious substances, radioactive material and corrosives, etc.
Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:01
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