1

Notifying Member

Hong Kong, China

2

Title of new legislation/procedure

Amendment to the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (Cap. 403)

3

Date of Publication

3 September 2025

4

Date of entry into force

1 December 2025

5

Website link/Official publication of the new regulation/procedure

Press release:

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202509/03/P2025082700686.htm

Environment Protection Department (EPD)'s website:

https://olpo.epd.gov.hk/en/info

6

Have you attached a copy of the regulation (PDF) to the Secretariat

[X] Yes. (Please attach a copy of the regulation to the notification.)

970-Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance, Cap 403 (20250411).pdf

[ ] No.

7

Type of notification

[] (a) New licensing regulation/procedure[2]; (please answer question 8 to 14)

[X] (b) Changes to a regulation/procedure which has been previously notified in document: _G/LIC/N/3/HKG/29 (please answer question 15 and 16)

8

List of products subject to licensing

9

Nature of licensing

Automatic: []

Non-Automatic: []

10

Administrative purpose/measure being implemented

(a)

Protect public morals;

(b)

Protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect environment;

(c)

Collect trade statistics or market surveillance;

(d)

Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights, and the prevention of deceptive practices;

(e)

Pursue obligations under the UN Charter and other international treaties (i.e. CITES, Basel Convention, Rotterdam Convention, UNSC Resolutions etc.)

(f)

Quota (including TRQ) administration;

(g)

Regulate imports of arms, ammunition or fissionable materials and safeguard national security;

(h)

Other: ______________ (please specify)

11

Administrative body(ies) for submission of applications

12

Contact point for information on eligibility

13

Expected duration of licensing procedure

14

A summary of the notification in one of the WTO official languages

15

In the case of 7(b), please indicate the type of new change(s)

16

Please elaborate the changes in detail (in one of the WTO official languages)

Following the completion of the amendments to the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (OLPO) in April 2025 to implement the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was adopted by the United Nations to strengthen the regulation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and establish corresponding phasedown targets and schedule, import licences issued by the EPD will be required for the import of 18 types of HFCs or their mixtures stipulated in Part 10 of the Schedule of OLPO for environmental protection reasons from 1 December 2025.  Sample Import Licences applicable to HFCs can be downloaded at https://olpo.epd.gov.hk/login (this site requires registration and log-in to enter) and relevant Hong Kong Harmonized System (HKHS) codes are set out at Annex.

To import HFCs, a company is required to register with the EPD before it can apply for an import licence.  The importations of HFCs for local consumption are subject to quantitative (quota) restriction.  Information concerning the quota allocations and licensing systems is available at EPD’s website: https://olpo.epd.gov.hk/en/info.

In addition, from 1 December 2025, the import licences for ozone depleting substances and pesticides (strictly for quarantine and pre‑shipment cargo treatment) containing methyl bromide ("pesticides (methyl bromide)") will be issued by the EPD rather than by the Trade and Industry Department under delegation from the EPD as under existing arrangement. Online applications for import licence are available through the Trade Single Window (https://www.tradesinglewindow.hk/portal/en/index.html).

Administrative body(ies) for submission of application/ issuance of licence/Contact information on eligibility:

Environmental Protection Department, Air Science & Modelling Group

Address: 8/F North Tower, Tseung Kwan O Government Offices, 30 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong

Website: https://olpo.epd.gov.hk/en/info

Telephone: +852 3153 2384

E-Mail: olpoenq@epd.gov.hk