The following can only be a brief introduction of the legal subject concerned. Before you take any action which may have legal consequence, you should first seek advice from your own lawyer or make an appointment at any District Office to see a volunteer lawyer of the Free Legal Advice Scheme.




(708) CLINICAL WASTE CONTROL WORK

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The Clinical Waste Control Scheme commenced on 1 August 2011. It aims to ensure clinical waste is handled and disposed of in an environmentally sound and safe manner. The regulatory provisions are included in the Waste Disposal Ordinance and its subsidiary Regulations. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is the enforcement authority for Clinical Waste control.

The definition of clinical waste is given in the Waste Disposal Ordinance. In brief, Clinical Waste is waste from medical premises or laboratory including, for example, discarded sharps, laboratory waste, animal and human tissue, blood, swabs and dressing.

Waste producers should obtain a Premises Code from EPD for their premises where waste is generated. Waste producers must consign their waste to a licensed collector for delivery, or directly deliver the waste to a collection point or licensed disposal facility by a healthcare professional, and keep the clinical waste consignment or delivery records for 12 months. Waste producers should also segregate, pack, label and temporary store clinical waste properly.

Any person who intends to provide service for collection or disposal of clinical waste must apply for a licence from EPD. Collection or disposal of clinical waste without a licence constitutes an offence.

During the process of clinical waste disposal, all parties including the waste producer, healthcare professional delivering clinical waste, waste collection point, licensed collector and disposal facility should complete and sign a clinical waste trip ticket, and keep a copy as record.

The Chemical Waste Treatment Centre at Tsing Yi is designated to receive and treat clinical waste. According to the ¡§user pays¡¨ principle, disposal of clinical waste at the Centre is subject to a charge set out in the legislation.

For enquiries, please contact the Local Control Offices or through the EPD's Customer Service Hotline of 2838 3111.

Date of amendment: 22nd February 2013