Chemicals (Pesticides)

Responsible Authority:

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

Ordinance(s)/Regulation(s) and Brief Description:

The Pesticides Ordinance (Cap 133) regulates the import, manufacture, sale and supply of all pesticides in Hong Kong, China. Separately, the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132) prohibits the sale of any food that are unwholesome, adulterated or unfit for human consumption, including those containing excessive level of pesticides.

Conformity Assessment Mechanism:

Pre-market registration and licensing:

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is responsible for processing application for registration of pesticides for local use and keeps a register of approved pesticides. Anyone who wish to import, manufacture or supply in the course of business any pesticide must apply for a licence (registered pesticides) or permit (unregistered pesticides).

Post-market surveillance:

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department acts on complaints/reports regarding breach of Cap 133 and conducts spot checks. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department takes samples of different food for analysis for verification as to whether the pesticide residues are within the "tolerance levels".

Standards:

Domestic Standards Made	International/National Standards Accepted
N/A	Hong Kong, China adopts the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Extraneous Maximum Residue Limits (EMRLs) for pesticides recommended by Codex Alimentarius Commission of the World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Codex Alimentarius Commission has so far set and recommended the MRLs/EMRLs for some 130 pesticides.