HKPC Offers Green Manufacturing Solutions to Assist Industry in Environmental Compliance

The imminent implementation of the European Union's (EU) Directives on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) will have significant implications to Hong Kong manufacturers of electronics and electrical appliances. To meet the urgent needs of industry, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (22 February 2005) announced the launch of a one-stop solution programme to assist manufacturers in complying with international environmental regulations for overseas market entry.

Urging the local industry to prepare for the globalized green manufacturing trend, Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC, said, "Through HKPC's Green Manufacturing Express Programme, we aim to provide one-stop green manufacturing services to speed up industry's compliance with environmental regulations for sustainable development."

"The sustainability of wealth generation through manufacturing depends not only on technology adoption, human resources development, production improvements, but more importantly, the ability to meet the changing market requirements on environmental compliance," he said.

"The WEEE and RoHS Directives, scheduled for implementation by 13 August 2005 and I July 2006 respectively in the EU member states, are the latest examples on the significance of environmental issues as a business entry ticket to major international markets," said Mr Yeung.

Highlighting the details of the Green Manufacturing Express Programme, Mr Raymond Fong, Principal Consultant (Environment and Product Innovation) of HKPC said the Programme serves to assist industry through RoHS and WEEE compliance attainment and capability building.

"In terms of compliance attainment, the Programme includes a RoHS Product Compliance Verification Scheme to assist manufacturers in filing for product compliance declarations. We also offer a RoHS and WEEE Application System for Supply Chain and Compliance Management, providing a tool for manufacturers to acquire, audit and manage product, component and material data for effective compliance management," said Mr Fong.

"In addition, for manufacturers planning to evolve from traditional lead-based soldering processes into lead-free alternatives, our comprehensive services in lead-free soldering process design, evaluation and audit offer handy solutions," he added.

To build up industry's capabilities to face the RoHS and WEEE challenges, the Green Manufacturing Express Programme also contains a RoHS and WEEE Gap Audit service, enhancing manufacturers' awareness of the RoHS-WEEE requirements. In addition, a Green Manufacturing Network has been established to provide an information and experience-sharing platform for green manufacturers and those who intend to pursue green manufacturing practices.

Since 1990s, HKPC has implemented a comprehensive environmental management programme to enhance public awareness of environmental issues and helped companies comply with environmental regulations. Backed by its state-of-the art green manufacturing facilities, including the Advanced Electronics Processing Technology Centre, Environment & Product Innovation Laboratory, Plastics Technology Centre and Cleaner Production Centre, HKPC strives to enhance the competitiveness of industry through the adoption of green productivity.

For more details on the Green Manufacturing Express Programme, please contact HKPC's Mr Raymond Fong at tel. (852) 2788 5629 or email: rayfong@hkpc.org.

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Ms Betty Lee
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22 February 2005