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The Telecommunications (Control of Interference) (Amendment) Regulation 2014 (the Amendment Regulation) was published in the Gazette today (May 30). It seeks to update and modify the classes of electrical and electronic apparatus that may cause interference to communications equipment and services under control, and keep the control limits up to date.
"With the advent of new technologies, new types of apparatus such as light-emitting diode (LED) lighting equipment, electrical vehicles, etc, which may emit electrical or radiated interference but are not yet covered by the current regulation have become increasingly popular. There is a need to bring these new apparatuses under control through the Amendment Regulation," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.
The Amendment Regulation also seeks to align the control regime with international practices. It makes direct reference to an expanded set of widely recognised standards. These include the standards set by the International Special Committee on Radio Interference commonly known as CISPR, and relevant regional or national standards set by the European Union, Mainland China and the United States of America.
The Communications Authority may, where appropriate, include new control limits set by these authorities or remove outdated control limits from the control regime by order published in the Gazette.
To allow sufficient time for the industry to ensure that their products will comply with the new control limits, the Amendment Regulation provides for a one-year transitional period.
Within the transitional period, electrical and electronic apparatus covered by the current regulation as well as the Amendment Regulation may comply with either the requirements specified in the current regulation or the new requirements in the Amendment Regulation. For new apparatus covered by the Amendment Regulation only, failure to comply with the new requirements during the transitional period will not constitute an offence. As for apparatus covered by the current regulation but not covered by the Amendment Regulation, the control under the current regulation will cease to apply as from the commencement date of the Amendment Regulation.
The Amendment Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council on June 4 and come into operation on November 21.
Ends/Friday, May 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:07
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