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New arrangement on control of noise and exhaust emission for vehicles of 30 years or above
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     ​The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (June 29) that, with immediate effect, vehicles 30 years old or above on their first registration may seek exemption from the Noise Control (Motor Vehicles) Regulation and the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations.
      
     An EPD spokesman said that it was the original intent to exempt a small number of classic vehicles, which are collectible and not for the purpose of daily transportation, from the noise and air pollution control regulations at the first registration, on the premise of not affecting the overall environment of Hong Kong. It was noted that in recent years there has been a noticeable upward trend in the number of vehicles 20 years old or above exempted from noise and air emission regulations among the first-registered vehicles in Hong Kong. Some of the car owners may have abused the relevant exemptions and used their vehicles for daily transportation purposes, and even modified their vehicles, which may cause a noise nuisance. In order to ensure that all first-registered vehicles meet the relevant noise and exhaust emission standards so as to reduce the impact on the liveable environment and protect the public interest, the EPD had earlier decided to tighten the relevant discretionary exemption for those vehicles.
      
     In response to the opinions and suggestions received from trade and relevant stakeholders, and to strike a balance between the interests from different sectors, the EPD has updated the relevant exemption arrangement. With immediate effect, members of the public may apply for an exemption for vehicles 30 years old or above on their first registration from the Noise Control (Motor Vehicles) Regulation and the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations. Applicants are required to submit the noise and emission test reports of their vehicles for the EPD's approval, so as to prevent the vehicles from post-approval modifications to cause excessive noise and air pollution. Applicants should note that exemptions are at the discretion of the Director of Environmental Protection, who may impose additional requirements to safeguard the public interest. Other relevant requirements imposed by the Transport Department for vehicle's first registration shall also be complied with.
      
     Moreover, to alleviate the impact of the pandemic to the trade, the EPD will handle, on a discretionary basis, the arrangement for unregistered vehicles manufactured on or before 2007. Anyone who has signed a contract to purchase or order, and has made full or partial payment for it, and has lodged an Import Return to the Customs and Excise Department or has arranged the shipment of such vehicle to Hong Kong before 0.00am on June 1, 2022 (Hong Kong time), may submit the required supporting documents to the EPD before 5pm on July 15, 2022 (Hong Kong time) for an administrative record of the vehicle. When the vehicle reaches 20 years old, the applicant may submit a noise compliance report and an exhaust emission test report to the EPD for applying for an exemption from the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations at the vehicle's first registration and fulfilling relevant requirements.
      
     For details, please refer to the EPD website www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/noise/guide_ref/naaerfv30yoo.html.
 
Ends/Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:28
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