EPD commends good indoor air quality management (with photos)
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 27) held the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certificate Award Ceremony cum Seminar to commend the efforts of private and public organisations in achieving good indoor air quality.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for the Environment/Director of Environmental Protection, Ms Anissa Wong, praised the commitment of the premises owners and property management companies in participating in the IAQ Certification Scheme. Their efforts provided a pleasant indoor air environment for users of their offices and public premises, thereby protecting public health and setting good examples for others to follow.

     During the ceremony, Ms Wong presented awards to representatives from 85 public and private organisations who had obtained Excellent Class or Whole-buliding Good Class certificates for their premises. Ms Wong said she hoped that more premises owners, property management companies and members of the public would take part in the Certification Scheme in future to enhance Hong Kong's overall indoor air quality and provide people with a more healthy and pleasant living environment.

     Following the ceremony, Professor Lilian Vrijmoed of the City University of Hong Kong and Mr Lau Yan-kin, an IAQ expert, took part in a seminar to share their knowledge of good IAQ management. Representatives of the shopping mall owners and property management companies receiving the Excellent Class certificates also shared their valuable experience with participants.  

     The IAQ Certification Scheme was launched by the EPD in September 2003 to promote and commend good IAQ management practice. Since then, the number of premises participating in the Scheme has continually increased. By the end of 2011, 782 certificates had been registered, representing an increase of 36 per cent compared with the previous year. Among those certified, 165 were Excellent Class and 617 Good Class certificates and of these premises 185 were managed by the Government and 597 by private organisations.

     To encourage participation in the Scheme, the EPD will launch in March a set of newly designed IAQ labels. The new labels will be displayed in prominent locations managed or owned by organisations joining the Scheme. Members of the public can then easily identify premises that provide an environment with good indoor air quality. For their part, the member organisations will be able to showcase their efforts in maintaining good indoor air quality to the general public, which will in turn motivate more organisations to join the Scheme.
   
     Interested organisations and individuals can obtain the latest information on indoor air quality from the IAQ Information Centre and its dedicated website at www.iaq.gov.hk.

Ends/Monday, February 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:59

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