The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government published in the Gazette legislation to control the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a major category of pollutants responsible for smog that reduces Hong Kong's visibility. The legislation came into force in phases starting from April 1 this year.

The Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation will impose direct ban on the imports and local manufacture of products whose VOC contents exceed the prescribed limits. Products that will come under the regulation include architectural paints, printing inks, and six types of consumer goods (hairsprays, air fresheners, insecticides, insect repellents, floor wax strippers and multi-purpose lubricants).

The regulation also requires emission reduction devices to be installed on certain printing machines.

"VOCs play a significant role in the formation of ozone and respirable suspended particulates. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government have a consensus to reduce VOCs by 55% by 2010, on the basis of the emissions in 1997. This new legislation is an essential step towards this goal, which will ultimately enable Hong Kong to meet its air quality objectives and significantly improve the smog problem," a spokesman of the Environmental Protection Department said.

"The Regulation is one of the initiatives pledged in the 2006 Policy Address. We expect it can reduce about 8,000 tonnes of local VOC emissions. It will also bring Hong Kong to the forefront of VOC control in the world," he said.

The scheme in the current regulation was worked out after months of close co-operation between the Administration and trade representatives, and is welcomed by many as creating a "win-win" situation for both the environment and businesses.