Owner and staff of Yuen Long vehicle battery company convicted for illegal handling of waste battery
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During an enforcement operation in February this year, EPD staff found that two staff members of a vehicle battery company at On Hong Road in Yuen Long were replacing the lead-acid battery of a customer's vehicle and a used vehicle battery, which was classified as chemical waste, was illegally deposited at the roadside. Upon investigation by the EPD, it was confirmed that the company was not a registered chemical waste producer. The EPD subsequently initiated prosecution against the company owner and the two staff members.
The spokesman reminded trade practitioners of vehicle repair and maintenance that used vehicle batteries contain sulphuric acid and lead and are classified as chemical waste. Therefore, anyone who operates a vehicle battery replacement company or vehicle repair garage must register with the EPD as a chemical waste producer as stipulated by the Regulation. According to the Regulation, chemical waste must also be properly packed, labelled and stored, and must be handled by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to the EPD's licensed chemical waste treatment facilities for disposal. Anyone who improperly deposits used batteries removed from customers' vehicles may violate the WDO. For replacement of vehicle batteries, vehicle owners should engage the services of registered vehicle repair garages or companies. It is an offence for anyone to illegally collect, store or handle chemical waste or deposit waste at public places and offenders will be prosecuted. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.
Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.
Ends/Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:57
Issued at HKT 16:57
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