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| Subject: Re: Sony Mitsubishi ERG AES Prodata Hong Kong. | |
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Date Posted: 00:00:20 01/30/03 Thu In reply to: Sony Mitsubishi ERG AES Prodata Hong Kong. 's message, "Sony Mitsubishi ERG AES Prodata Hong Kong." on 23:58:16 01/29/03 Wed Telecommunications In Hong Kong's telecommunications sector, smart cards have primarily been used as GSM subscriber identification modules (SIMs). The development and growth of GSM digital mobile telecommunications over the last few years has been dramatic. Hong Kong's mobile telephone market has experienced a remarkable growth in the past few years, as evidenced by the statistics below. Mobile Telephone Subscriber Units Subscribers % Increase 1994 431,775 / 1995 687,600 60 1996 1,210,680 77 1997 1,600,000 33 1998 1,800,000 12.5 2000 2,500,000 / In 1996, Hong Kong's mobile telephone penetration rate was 12.69%. Since that time, the increase in penetration has been dramatic as both service and handset prices have fallen sharply. The latest estimates show a 33% penetration rate, and by the year 2000, the penetration rate will likely rise to 48%, which represents approximately 3.2 million mobile phones in the market. As a result of the continued expected rapid expansion of the mobile telephone market, smart card sales for applications in the telecommunications sector will climb steadily. In addition to SIM applications, telecommunications companies and banks are also teaming up to provide multi-functional smart card. For example, the local mobile telephone company SmarTone and the Standard Chartered Bank launched a co-branded credit card, the SmarTone Smart Credit Card in August 1997, whereby mobile telephones have a portable automatic teller machine function. This joint program is the first of its kind in Hong Kong. Other functions, such as the reloading of Mondex or VisaCash via mobile phones are also available. Financial Applications The electronic purse application, used by Hong Kong's banking community, is the most prevalent smart card application in Hong Kong today. Both Visacash and Mondex have rolled out commercial electronic purse systems this year. Smart cards used in this application are contact reloadable card embedded with microprocessor. This type of card contains a microprocessor to execute a program stored inside the same silicon chip, so that it can make decisions based on external input. Microprocessor cards are the real smart cards and are used in banking, finance and other applications where high security is essential. The Mondex card system, offered by both the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank and Hang Seng Bank, is a reloadable smart card. The Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank and the Hang Seng Bank claim to have issued 100,000 cards and to have more than 6,000 merchants prepared to accept Mondex. On the other hand, the Visa Cash system offers both disposable cards, launched in early 1997, and reloadable cards offered in August 1997. These cards can be obtained in the Bank of China, Standard Chartered Bank and the Bank of East Asia. According to Visa Cash, 150,000 reloadable cards and 130,000 disposable cards card have been issued, and there are 2,000 points of acceptance in Hong Kong. Once the point of sales infrastructure has matured, the potential for electronic purse systems is enormous, as the majority of payment transactions are still handled by cash in Hong Kong. The electronic purse system currently available in the market consists of off-line, unaccountable stored-value systems, where the record of value is maintained only on the card itself, and not at a financial institution or a central database. Other examples of this type of card include photocopier cards and mass transit railway systems. A different kind of financial smart card is the on-line stored -value system, which operates like a debit card to access a traditional deposit account. This type of system involves on-line access to a data base for transaction authorization and data capture. Loyalty Projects Asia Chip Card and Hypercom, Inc. have announced that their smart cards and terminals, network and system software are being used in the Hutchison Whampoa and Overseas Trust Bank (OTB) smart card loyalty project in Hong Kong. Card holders are able to accumulate and redeem bonus points at all 300 Hutchison-owned retail stores, which include one of the two major supermarket chains in Hong Kong. One of the largest real estate developers, Sun Hung Kai (SHK) is developing a residential membership smart card system for its real estate residents. SHK's smart card system aims to incorporate different functions into their residential card, including parking, electronic purse, Internet booking of club facilities, credit card, shuttle bus and residence identification. The system is being launched in two pilot sites of SHK, the Woodland Crest and East Point City residential complexes. Government Project: Smart Card-Operated Parking System The Hong Kong Government Transport Department is in the first phase of replacing all coin-operated mechanical parking meters (EPM's) with smart card-operated electronic parking devices (EPD's) and to install smart card operated electronic payment terminals (EPT's) and pay-and-display machines (PDM's) at its 14 multi-storey car parks. The supply and installation contract for the Smart Card Operated Parking System (SCOPS) were granted to Hong Kong Parking Limited which sub-contracted the smart card portion of the contract to Schlumberger early this year. The project will use a disposable contact hardwired logic card on a prepaid credit basis and will not require cash transactions on site. The first phase of the project, completed in April 1998, involved the replacement of 3,500 on-street mechanical parking meters. The second phase, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of 1998, will involve the replacement of the remaining 10,000 mechanical on-street parking meters. The Transportation Department predicts 1 million smart card in circulation, for this purpose when the project is completed. The potential for new smart card applications in Hong Kong is unlimited as Hong Kong population's is very open to innovative solutions and real-world applications. Many smart card system consultants are working on different projects for smart card applications. A MasterCard survey in Asia Pacific with leading bankers found that 65% of bankers expect smart cards to be widespread in the region by 2001. According to industry observers, the Asia Pacific card market is likely to grow by 600% over the next 10 years and most of the growth will come from the adoption of multi-function microprocessor card. D. MARKET ACCESS Import and Export Regime Hong Kong is a free port and one of the world's best examples of an "open market economy". The Hong Kong Government pursues economic policies of non-interference in commercial decisions, low and predictable taxation, government spending increases within the bounds of real economic growth, and competition subject to regulation and law. Market forces determine wages and prices with price controls limited only to certain government-sanctioned monopolies in the service sector. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of capital, nor are there export performance or local content requirements. Profits can be freely repatriated. These policies have spurred high rates of real growth, low unemployment, rising wages, and an overall steady increase in standard-of-living judged in economic terms. Hong Kong is a member of GATT in good standing, and is a founding member of the WTO as well as a member of APEC. There is no legislation or practice which restricts access to the Hong Kong markets by foreign exporters or which mandates preference for locally manufactured products. Hong Kong companies (and the Hong Kong Government itself) do not have any predisposition to any one supplier -- and are far more inclined to purchase based on the terms of price, delivery, quality and service. Technical and safety standards are not used as a political or trade control mechanism, and they are normally accommodated with little difficulty. The Hong Kong Government levies no import tariffs. However, domestic consumption taxes (referred to as duties in Hong Kong) are imposed on a small number of goods, including tobacco, alcoholic beverages, methyl alcohol and some fuels. These taxes are levied equally on local manufactures and imports. The Hong Kong Government imposes restrictions on the export of high-technology products to countries proscribed under the former COCOM regime, including the People's Republic of China. Restrictions on trade with China were relaxed significantly by the United States in 1991, allowing Hong Kong to re-export to China on a more liberal basis. Textiles are subject to import and export licensing because of Hong Kong's obligations under agreements with the US and other countries. Hong Kong's export control system has not changed as a result of Hong Kong's July 1, 1997 reversion to Chinese sovereignty. Additionally, Hong Kong's status with regard to access to controlled U.S. technologies has not been altered as a result of reversion. Useful contact for inquiring about specific products: Customs and Excise Department 8th Floor, Harbour Building 38 Pier Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2852-3324 Fax: (852) 2541-9827 (Dutiable Commodities Division) Guidelines for Selecting and Working with an Agent or Distributor in Hong Kong One of the best ways to sell products in the Hong Kong market is through the use of agents or distributors. It is also an excellent way of minimizing the initial investment in the market. As outlined below, there is a wide range of companies which can serve as agents or distributors for U.S. firms. Other options for pursuing Hong Kong's market are establishing an office or partnering. Companies looking to sell equipment needing long term maintenance or technical support or installation or who are seeking to become involved in infrastructure projects frequently seek to partner with local companies. Working with agents and distributors in Hong Kong is very much like working with an agent in the United States. An agent takes orders in the supplier's name. Distributors act in their own name and may stock products purchased from the manufacturer for resale. The choice depends on the relationship with which the manufacturer/supplier is most comfortable and the nature of the business. Hong Kong has no special legislation regarding agents and distributors. Virtually anything which both sides can agree to and put into a written contract is acceptable and enforceable, including restrictions on territory and a grace period for termination of the agreement. While not required by Hong Kong law, the more complex the contract, the more helpful it is to have legal counsel. Items that should be considered for inclusion in a contract include: - Discussion of exclusivity and sales territories (always a sensitive issue; business people should be careful about granting an exclusive agency too soon or in too large a territory if the agent is to cover beyond Hong Kong.) - Discussion of proprietary information (theft of intellectual property is prohibited by local law, but prevention of piracy is always less expensive and more effective than post-facto legal action.) - Levels of sales activity -- set specific targets and goals to qualify for maintaining or renewing the agreement - Time duration - Payment terms - Quality control -- inspection -- verification - Rule of law -- jurisdiction in the US vs. Hong Kong (It is generally Hong Kong, but another location may be specified -- for arbitration, for example.) - Covenants restricting activity following cancellation of the contract. There are many types of agents and distributors in Hong Kong, ranging from those who simply stock retail stores with standard items to agents who provide sales, engineering and technical support for complex systems. It is common for a single company to deal in a wide variety of products in a particular sector. Agents and trading companies may be less specialized than companies in a large economy like the US, but the best ones are focused and have contacts in a general line of business. One area that FCS has seen as troublesome for Americans in their business relationships in Hong Kong is the American businessman's perception of the loyalty of their local representative. US firms complain that as soon as they get an agent trained, he/she drops them for a competitor's product, taking the client list with them. FCS Hong Kong offers the following advice and suggestions to prevent this from happening. Most basic is the need to see the relationship from the agent's viewpoint, and to take actions which will make you and your product of maximum value and minimum bother and expense: a. A major sore point with Hong Kong reps/distributors is the American suppliers' failing to see the difference between business development (marketing) and selling. Local reps have little problem with paying commissions, but have a serious problem paying business expenses (samples, technical assistance, warranties). We recommend that the U.S. suppliers consider paying these expenses directly. That's what most of your competition is doing. b. Respect the Hong Kong people's attitude toward time. The pace is very fast, and business deals that take more than 24 hours to complete can be considered slow and therefore of low priority. Respond immediately to all faxes and phone calls. Your speed of response will be a major factor in building credibility. c. Keep in mind that space in Hong Kong is extremely expensive. This affects everything from manufacturing to retailing. For every step of business in Hong Kong, the question you must be able to answer is "how will the use of your product/service help to make money for the Hong Kong agent/distributor?" d. The Hong Kong Government is extremely laissez faire. It has few environmental laws, safety laws, child worker laws, product performance laws, etc. Conclusion: sell on economics, not legislation (as per c above). e. Remember that the Hong Kong agent has many options to choose from in addition to yourself: Australians, Europeans, Japanese, Singaporeans, Chinese, and so on. You must make it as easy for your Hong Kong partner as possible to deal with you: - Quote in metric - Quote on a delivered basis to Hong Kong (not F.O.B.) - Use 220v, 50hz - Spell out the name of your state on your business card; include a fax number with an area code; put "USA" into every address that you use. (6) By following these steps you can find, as have hundreds of other American companies, that working with an agent or distributor in Hong Kong is an effective way of doing business. Key Contacts: Mr. Greg Pote, General Manager The Asia Pacific Smart Card Association Room F, 6th Floor, 1 Fleming Road, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2591-9481 Fax: 852-2834-9748 Email: hbi@hk.linkage.net Mr. Stephen Cheung General Manager, Electronics Division HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2788-5788 Fax: 852-2788-5770 Email: scheung@hkpc.org Mr. Anthony Lam, Director Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association Ltd. Room 208-9 Hong Kong Industrial Technology Center 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2778-8328 Fax: 852-2788-2200 Email: hkeia@hkeia.com Web Site: www.hkeia.com Mr. Alexander Chung, General Manager Gemplus Technologies Asia PTC Ltd. Unit 1085, H.K. International Trade and Exhibition Center, 1 Trademart Drive, Wang Chin Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2620-1491 Fax: 852-2799-5575 Email: alex.chung@ccmail.edt.fr Mr. Jeffrey Wong, General Manager City Smart Limited 1508 Beverly House, 93-107 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2934-6238 Fax: 852-2834-6100 Email: citysmt@hkstar.com Miss Shirley Ng Schlumberger Technologies (Asia) Ltd. Suite 1803-6, Tower II, The Gateway, Harbour City, 25-27 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2956-3331 Fax: 852-2956-3457 Mrs. Agnes Mak, President Hong Kong Computer Society Unit D, 1/F., Luckifast Building, 1 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2834-2228 Fax: 852-2834-3003 Getting Paid The preferred method of quoting is "CIF" or "C and F" in HK$. U.S. and other freely convertible currencies may be accepted for bids and pro forma invoicing. Terms of payment depend on the relative negotiating strength of the buyers and sellers. U.S. suppliers should seek to obtain letters of credit or sight draft terms when dealing with buyers who are not well known to them. Asking for a letter of credit is a standard business practice, and your potential customer will not interpret this as a sign of mistrust. Hong Kong is one of the region's leading financial centers. By the end of 1997, Hong Kong had 180 licensed banks (149 were incorporated overseas), 66 restricted licensed banks (27 were incorporated overseas), 115 deposit-taking institutions (2 were incorporated overseas), and 159 representative offices (all were set up by foreign banks). Thirty-two American "authorized financial institutions" operate in Hong Kong, including 7 of the top 10 U.S. banks. Most banks in Hong Kong maintain U.S. correspondent relationships. Letters of credit, document collection and international remittance are widely available. All licensed banks are authorized to provide loans to residents and nonresidents. The risk of financing receivables can be readily evaluated via locally available credit information. Prospective exporters should make use of banking relationships to determine credit risk. The importance of trade finance to the territory has resulted in a high level of bank efficiency in providing import payment services. The local currency, the Hong Kong dollar (HK$), is freely convertible and there are no regulations that hamper inward or outward remittance of capital or profits. Currently the HK$ is pegged at 7.8 to the US$ and has fluctuated little since the inception of the linked rate policy in 1983. Selling to the Hong Kong Government The Government Supplies Department (GSD) is the central purchasing, storage and supply organization for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, serving over 80 government departments and certain non-government organizations. The GSD normally purchases by open tender, with decisions based on compliance with tender specifications, competitiveness in price, back-up service and delivery. The GSD gives no preference to any particular source of supply from any country or organization. The GSD spent US$549 million in 1997, with American products winning around 26% of the total procurement contracts (about US$141 million). Hong Kong joined the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement in June 1997. As of May 1998, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was in the process of establishing a Bid Challenge System consistent with the WTO's Government Procurement guidelines. Invitations to open tender are published in the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gazette and in selected Hong Kong newspapers. Tender notices are also published on the Internet on the GSD Home Page (http://www.info.gov.hk/gsd). Tenderers usually have about six weeks to prepare their offers. Tenders normally have a 90-day validity period unless otherwise indicated. Payment is usually effected by check or telegraphic transfer within 30 days upon acceptance of the goods. Contract awards with the names of successful tenderers and contract sums are published monthly in the Government Gazette and on the Internet. For information about a subscription to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Gazette contact: Information Officer Publications Sales Section Information Services Department 28th Floor, Siu On Centre 188 Lockhart Road Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2598-8197 Fax: (852) 2598-7482 The GSD maintains lists of registered suppliers for issuing tender invitations. Any company not currently registered with the GSD wishing to be considered for inclusion in these lists may apply in writing to the Director of Government Supplies. Companies are required to provide basic information about their organizations and the goods they offer, such as the business registration certificate, company profile, annual report and product catalogues. The GSD evaluates this information and those companies that are found acceptable will be included on the lists. The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong office regularly reports on government tenders which are available via the NTDB. For information call the U.S. Department of Commerce at 1-800 stat-usa. Companies seeking more information on the GSD are encouraged to contact: The Director of Government Supplies Government Supplies Department 10/F, North Point Government Office 333 Java Road North Point, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2231-5100 Fax: (852) 2510-7904 http://www.info.gov.hk/gsd Trade Promotion Activities Many promotional vehicles are open to suppliers to introduce and develop their services in the Hong Kong market. These include: - special trade fairs and exhibitions - advertising in the media and other public relations activities - holding seminars - in-store promotions - joint promotions with wholesale and retail outlets Hong Kong is a major conference and exhibition center. Hundreds of international exhibitions are held annually. The Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Center (operated by the quasi governmental Hong Kong Trade Development Council), has approximately 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, including 300,000 square feet added in a major expansion completed in the summer of 1997. A privately built facility, the International Trademart, opened in Kowloon Bay in early 1996 with 158,000 square feet of exhibition space. Television is a widely used medium with an estimated daily audience of 5.27 million out of a population of 6.5 million. Hong Kong Television also reaches much of neighboring Guangdong Province in China, where it is very popular. As one of the largest centers in the world for Chinese language publications, the territory produces almost 700 publications, including some 60 Chinese newspapers, approximately 625 periodicals, and 2 English daily newspapers. Advertising agencies, including many of international standing, offer a full range of services. Suppliers should provide technical catalogs in English, and desirably in Chinese, for distribution to agents and firms. Company brochures are particularly useful when visiting Hong Kong for the first time. English-Chinese business cards are also helpful. Conferences and exhibitions scheduled within the next 24 months include: ECA The 10th International Electronic Component Exhibition for Asia. July 23-26, 1998 Hong Kong Tel: 852-2865-2633; Fax: 852-2866-1770 Contact: Mr. Arthur Tang, Director Asian IT Expo '98 (Annual event 1998-2007) Sept. 16-19, 1998 Hong Kong Tel: 852-2811-8897; Fax: 852-2516-5024 Contact: Mr. Stanley Chu COMPUTER The 14th International Computer Expo (Annual event 1998-2007) May 7-10, 1998 Hong Kong Tel: 852-2865-2633; Fax: 852-2866-1770 Contact: Mr. Arthur Tang CARDS NORTH ASIA 1998 Nov. 1998 Hong Kong Tel: 65-222-8550; Fax: 65-224-6328 Contact: Mr. Tommy Koh Asia & South Pacific Design Automation Conference and Exhibition Jan. 18-21, 1999 Hong Kong Tel: 852-2788-7705; Fax: 852-2788-7791 Contact: Dr. Richard Chen Trade Journals: Asia Computer Weekly (ACW) Miller Freeman (HK) Ltd. 738 King's Road, Room 102-5 Stanhope House, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2805-5661; Fax: 852-2960-0977 Computer World 303, 3/F., Eastern Harbor Center, 28 Hoi Chak Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2805-5335; Fax: 852-2562-8599 IT Asia Newsources Investments Ltd. 1501 Shiu Lam Bldg., 23 Luard Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: 852-2528-4808; Fax: 852-2865-6832 Protecting your product from IPR Infringement The best protection for an American company is to aggressively market in Hong Kong. By using a good local agent, American manufacturers or suppliers can make their product legally available. Dealers have a strong incentive to stop any piracy, and with good local connections, have a better chance of making that happen than an American company which is not actively participating in the market. The chief law enforcement body for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. However, protecting copyrights or trademarks takes vigilance, and even with the U.S. Government vigorously pressing Hong Kong on this issue, enforcement is still dependent on reporting incidents of product piracy to the authorities and, in some cases, providing evidence in court. For more information on intellectual property legislation and registration, see the following paragraphs. Protection of Property Rights Hong Kong's commercial and company laws provide for effective enforcement of contracts and protection of corporate rights. The Intellectual Property Department, which includes the Trademarks and Patents Registries, is the focal point for the development of Hong Kong's intellectual property regime. The Customs and Excise Department is the principal enforcement agency for intellectual property rights (IPR). While the Hong Kong Government has taken significant steps to improve its intellectual property rights regime and enhance enforcement efforts, production and retail sale of pirated software, recordings, and films remain serious problems. As a result, the United States Trade Representative again placed Hong Kong on the Special 301 Watchlist in 1998. 1997 saw a dramatic increase in factories producing compact discs, including pirated compact discs, in Hong Kong. Industry estimates the number of production lines at well over 100 and possibly as many as 250. The Hong Kong government responded by instituting a licensing regime for the import and export of production equipment and by passing a new law that requires factories to register and use source identifier codes. This new legislation should enable enforcement authorities to gain control over illicit production by the end of the year. Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up seizures of production equipment and pirated compact discs. In a dramatic raid in late April, 1998, officials seized 41 production lines and some 8 million pirated compact discs. The Customs and Excise Department, which has a special IPR unit with over 200 investigators, has also stepped up raids against retail shops selling pirated goods. Using new enforcement tools from the June 1997 Copyright Law, Customs officers have been able to substantially increase seizures of pirated goods. Although aggressive raids have curtailed activity at the three most notorious retail centers, pirated goods remain widely available in a number of other retail arcades. Hong Kong successfully localized its intellectual property laws to ensure the maintenance of a strong legal regime after the July 1997 reversion to China. Protection continues under both local laws and international conventions, which continue to apply to Hong Kong. Hong Kong has acceded to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Bern Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the Geneva and Paris Universal Copyright Conventions. Hong Kong also continues to participate in the World Intellectual Property Organization, as part of China's delegation. The new copyright law protects any original copyright work created or published by any person anywhere in the world. It provides for rental rights for sound recordings and computer programs but not films. It provides for enhanced penalty provisions against copyright piracy and additional legal tools to facilitate enforcement. It decriminalizes parallel imports of copyrighted products one year after their release anywhere in the world, but maintains civil penalties. Registration is voluntary. The patent ordinance, approved in June 1997, allows for granting of an independent patent in Hong Kong based on the patents granted by the UK be independent, and would be capable of being tested for validity, rectified, amended, revoked and enforced in the Hong Kong courts in accordance with Hong Kong law. Based on the law, Hong Kong has established an independent patents registry. Continuity is preserved so that pre-existing patents eligible for protection continue to enjoy protection in Hong Kong. The new registered designs ordinance is modeled on the proposed EU design registration system, with certain modifications. To be registered, a design must be new. The system requires no substantive examination. Protection will be for an initial period of five years, and may be extended for four periods of five years each, up to a maximum of 25 years. Hong Kong's existing trademark law is not dependent on that of the UK, and so does not need to be "localized." The law is already TRIPS-compatible, and is in the process of being modernized. All trademark registrations originally filed in Hong Kong are valid for seven years and renewable for 14-year periods. Proprietors of trademarks registered elsewhere must apply anew and satisfy all requirements of Hong Kong law. When evidence of use is required, such use must have been in Hong Kong. Trademarks are registered under the Trademarks Ordinance, with provisions similar to trademarks legislation in the United Kingdom. The Trademarks (Amendment) Ordinance, which came into effect in 1992, extends the trademarks law to allow for registration of trademarks relating to services. Hong Kong has no specific ordinance to cover trade secrets. Under the Trade Description Ordinance, however, the government has the duty to protect the information being disclosed to other parties. The Trade Description Ordinance prohibits false trade descriptions, forged trade marks and misstatements in respect of goods supplied in the course of trade. The Legislative Council passed an Intellectual Property (World Trade Organization Amendment) bill in May 1996 to fulfill Hong Kong's international obligation as a WTO member. The bill expanded the definition of what can be trademarked, provided new anti-piracy tools to the Hong Kong Government and provided for civil detention orders at the border to stop import of infringing product. The Hong Kong Government has claimed a developing country status exemption to the Trade-Related Intellectual Property requirements of the World Trade Organization. In theory, this gives Hong Kong five years to phase in the requirements. The Government has committed, however, to meeting the requirements well within that period. Useful contacts: Director of Intellectual Property 15th Floor, Queensway Government Offices 66 Queensway Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2867-2817 Fax: (852) 2375-7375 (TM & Patent Registries) (852) 2736-8297 (Headquarters) The Intellectual Property Department also has a web page, at http://www.houston.com.hk/hkgipd/ Also Chairman Intellectual Property Committee The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Room 1904, 19/F, Bank of America Tower 12 Harcourt Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2526-0165 Fax: (852) 2810-1289 Standards Few product safety standards are required for the domestic Hong Kong market. What little there are relate to fire control (gas and electricity) in the city's high rise buildings. One exception is an ordinance which does not accept U.S. safety standards for certain baby products. Other standards of quality and safety control imposed on domestic manufacturers are for goods made for export or re-export outside Hong Kong. Currently, building materials and electrical/mechanical supplies have to meet British standards. However, Hong Kong is gradually recognizing other standards so US companies seeking to export to Hong Kong check with potential agents and customers to determine exact standards required. Another guideline to use regarding quality control is the "ISO 9000" series, published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These standards, now in the process of being adopted in Hong Kong via the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency, provide a framework for all types of manufacturing industries. The Hong Kong Housing Authority has also adopted ISO 9000 for all of its consultants/contractors, and the Works Branch has extended ISO 9000 to engineering and architectural consultants as of April 1, 1996. The Airport Authority also requires suppliers and contractors to conform to ISO 9000. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
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