Following up on a CCTV news report last Saturday (March 31), Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 2) made enquiries at two shops respectively in Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan to look into whether there were contraventions of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Customs officers entered a jewellery shop in Hung Hom to investigate whether there were activities infringing the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Meanwhile, Customs officers investigated the shop according to the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold and Gold Alloy) Order and the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Platinum) Regulations and Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Platinum) Order to ascertain if there was non-compliance. They took some samples of necklaces with pendants for testing of their gold and gem content by Government Laboratory.
The officers had reiterated to the shop manager the statutory requirements of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance including the shop's legal responsibility.
Separately, Customs officers made enquiries at a shop in To Kwa Wan and took away documents for follow up investigations. They are approaching the trade mark owner of the related watch in Switzerland to ascertain whether criminal activities are involved, regarding the use of trade mark.
A Customs spokesman reminded industry players that Hong Kong Customs has along attached high importance to the protection of consumer interests. Customs officers will continue their stringent law enforcement actions and bring offenders to justice.
Under the Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Gold and Gold Alloy) Order and the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Platinum) Regulations and Trade Descriptions (Marking) (Platinum) Order, gold or platinum articles supplied in the course of trade or business must bear a mark of fineness of gold or platinum content. Gold or platinum articles sold must be accompanied by receipts or invoices.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person selling counterfeit goods or goods with false trade descriptions to a material degree is liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and five years' imprisonment.
Ends/Tuesday, April 3, 2007