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The Government announced today (January 26) the implementation details of measures on testing and certification under the Supplement VII to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
Supplement VII to CEPA signed by the Central Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in May 2010 allows for the first time testing organisations in Hong Kong to co-operate with designated Mainland organisations in testing products for the China Compulsory Certification (CCC) System on a pilot basis, for selected products processed in Hong Kong. These testing organisations have to be accredited by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) as capable of performing tests for the relevant products.
Four types of products processed in Hong Kong are included in the pilot scheme:
(1) Toy;
(2) Switches, protective devices and connection devices for electrical installations;
(3) Information technology equipment; and
(4) Lighting apparatus.
The Mainland has informed the Hong Kong side of the detailed testing capability requirements for the concerned products, and the procedures for co-operation between Hong Kong testing laboratories and designated CCC certification bodies. For details, please visit the following websites: HKAS: www.hkas.gov.hk ; Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification: www.hkctc.gov.hk .
HKAS will be responsible for assessing and monitoring testing capabilities of testing laboratories. For testing laboratories which would like to perform testing for the CCC System, they should first submit their applications to HKAS.
Since Hong Kong is not a nation, it cannot join international multilateral systems on mutual recognition of testing and certification that are open to national member bodies. With Supplement VII to CEPA, our testing laboratories can apply to the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA) to join multilateral systems on mutual recognition in which CNCA is a national member body, such as the International Electrotechnical Commission's System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment and Components (IECEE), which is widely accepted internationally.
A Government spokesperson said, "The measures under Supplement VII to CEPA are a good start and have responded to the demands of the industry. They will provide our testing laboratories with more opportunities to provide testing services in the Mainland, thus promoting trade between the two places. In addition, the arrangements for international multilateral systems on mutual recognition will help enhance the international recognition of our testing laboratories and their testing results."
Testing and certification is one of the six industries where Hong Kong enjoys clear advantages and has good potential for development. In September 2009, the Government established the Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification to spearhead the development of the industry. Its members include representatives from the testing and certification industry, business sector, professional bodies as well as relevant public bodies and Government departments. The Council formulated its first three-year market-oriented development plan for the industry in March 2010. One of the recommendations of the plan is to assist the industry by enhancing recognition of Hong Kong testing laboratories in the Mainland and worldwide.
Ends/Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 10:18
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