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24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Our Ref. : GL 220
Tel. No. : 2398 5766
Fax No. : 2380 8504

17 May 2006

To : All registrants under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance

Dear Sirs,

Implementation of Five-day Week from 1 July 2006

Introduction

In response to the Chief Executive's announcement of the plan to introduce five-day week in the civil service in January 2006, the Department has examined the possibility of pursuing the initiative for the services provided to the trade. After careful consideration, we have decided to implement five-day week with effect from 1 July 2006 and all public counters in the Department will be closed on Saturdays. Nevertheless, the service hours on weekdays will be extended to fully compensate for the service hours currently available on Saturdays. The Department will also ensure that we continue to provide quality services to the pubic and that the impact on the public be reduced to the minimum.

New Service Hours of the Non-Textiles Licensing Unit

2.Starting from 1 July 2006, the daily service hours of the Non-Textiles Licensing Unit providing the following services will be extended by 45 minutes. The new service hours are as follows :

Expeditious Licensing Service for Traders with Genuine Urgent Need

3.Despite the closure of counter on Saturdays starting from 1 July, we will consider requests for expeditious licensing service from traders who have genuine urgent needs to obtain their import/export/import and export licences for ozone depleting substances. Details are set out in the following paragraphs.

4.Currently, the processing time for application for import/export/import and export licences for ozone depleting substances is two clear working days after lodgment of the application if the application is in order. With effect from 1 July 2006, traders who have genuine urgent need to obtain their licences and who are affected by the closure of counter on Saturdays may use our new expeditious licensing service. They are advised to make request for expeditious licensing service in the form of a letter or using the request form at Annex (pdf format). The request must be well-justified and supported by document(s) evidencing the unforeseen urgency as appropriate. Provided that the request is in order, the Department will issue the licence in one clear working day after lodgment of the application.

5.Notwithstanding the introduction of the above expeditious licensing service in July 2006, the normal processing time for licence application, i.e., two clear working days, will remain unchanged.

Performance Pledge

6.Traders are reminded that with effect from 1 July 2006, Saturday will no longer be counted as a working day for the purpose of performance pledge. They are advised to take this into account in making their business plans, including scheduling shipments, and to lodge applications to the Department well in advance where possible.

Enquiries

7.If you have any enquiry on the content of this letter, please contact the Non-Textiles Licensing Unit (tel : 2398 5560 or 2398 5792) or the undersigned (tel : 2398 5766).

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Judy TING)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry