Frequently Asked Questions

The detailed definition of the ten classes of regulated electrical equipment (REE) are set out in Schedule 6 of the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603) (PERO). Generally speaking, REE include the following:

• Air conditioner: includes single package type and split type room air conditioners (air cooled, air heated, or both) that have a cooling capacity not exceeding 7.5 kilowatts (i.e. 3 HP);
• Washing machine: with a rated washing capacity not exceeding 15 kilograms;
• Refrigerator: with a rated total storage volume not exceeding 900 litres;
• Dehumidifiers: operate by using the vapour compression cycle with a rated dehumidifying capacity not exceeding 35 litres per day, but do not include those operate by using desiccant materials;
• Tumble dryers: dry textiles by tumbling in a rotating drum, use mains electricity as the only power source for heating and with a rated drying capacity not exceeding 15 kilograms;
• Television: the size of its display screen does not exceed 100 inches (measured diagonally);
• Computer: includes personal computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, laptop computer and notebook computer;
• Printer: not exceeding 30 kg in weight; one that can also be used as a photocopier, facsimile transmitter or scanner is also regarded as a printer;
• Scanner: not exceeding 30 kg in weight;
• Monitor: does not have the function of storing electronic data or computing, and the size of its display screen exceeds 5.5 inches but does not exceed 100 inches (measured diagonally).

Under section 3 of PERO, REE refers to the electrical or electronic equipment that has not been used by any consumer. Hence, sale of second-hand goods is not subject to payment of recycling levy or arrangement of removal service.

A removal service plan formulated by a seller needs to fulfill the following requirements, in respect of a "collector" -

• provide a maximum of five qualified collectors, including a specified "default collector";
• the "collector" must hold a business registration certificate issued under Section 6 of the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310);
• a "default collector" refers to the first collector whom the seller proposes to approach for arrangement of removal service. The "default collector" has to be able to provide territory-wide collection service coverage and provide collection service for all classes of regulated electrical equipment (REE) that the seller distributes;
• all "collectors" must provide written undertakings that they will provide removal service when the seller distributes REE to the consumer and that they will hand over the old item removed to the "recycler".

A removal service plan formulated by a seller needs to fulfill the following requirements, in respect of a "recycler" -

• nominated at least one qualified "recycler";
• the "recycler" must hold a waste disposal licence in respect of e-waste within the meaning of the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap. 354);
• the "recycler" must provide written undertaking that he/she will provide a treatment, reprocessing or recycling service for the old item removed by the "collector" in the removal service plan.

Under the enhanced Scheme, the relevant legal requirements on the provision of recycling labels will be removed from 1st July 2024. There will be no need for sellers to provide consumers with recycling labels. Sellers who still possess recycling labels (e.g. the label is affixed onto a product) by then may decide whether they will continue providing them, or if they will hand over the labels to their suppliers before the date required by the suppliers.

A general statement as in the following specimen can be stamped on the receipt by sellers (air conditioner, washing machine and television are sold in this transaction):

The removal service record kept by the seller should contain the following information:

• Information that enables the identification of the distribution transaction (for example, transaction date and details, transaction number, etc.);
• The times and manners in which the request for a removal service was made to and received from a collector;
• Proof that the collector had been informed of the address of the premises from which the old equipment was to be removed and the date of collection of the old equipment as agreed by the collector;
• If the actual collector who provided the service was a collector other than the default collector - the default collector’s written confirmation that the default collector was unable or unwilling to provide the requested service, and the reasons;
• If the actual service provider was not a collector under the removal service - a written confirmation by each collector specified in the removal service plan that the collector was unable or unwilling to provide the requested service, and the reasons.

Under the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, regulated electrical equipment suppliers are required by law to pay a recycling levy to the Government. In addition, it is a statutory requirement that the receipts issued to consumers by the sellers must contain the prescribed wording.

However, the law does not regulate how the suppliers may recover all or part of the recycling levy from other stakeholders through the supply chain, which should be determined by the relevant stakeholders according to the operation of the free market. As for how the price should be presented, such as whether all or part of the recycling levy should be separately listed on the invoice or receipt, or whether to show as a single price, the trade may decide themselves.

Suppliers are required by law to pay a recycling levy fore regulated electrical equipment (REE) they distribute or use for the first time, while sellers should arrange a free statutory removal service for the distributed REE and provide a recycling label and a receipt with prescribed wording for the consumers. Irrespective of whether the suppliers and sellers distribute REE in Hong Kong through physical stores or online sales platforms, they are subject to statutory regulation.

As for the so-called "sale outside the territory with equipment collected in Hong Kong", it is understood that this involves distribution of REE in local market by the supplier, so the supplier should pay the corresponding recycling levy.

According to the definition of REE, an exhibit that has not been used by a consumer is regarded as REE. Therefore, if a seller sells an exhibit to a consumer, the seller must, as in selling REE in general, arrange a free removal service and a receipt containing the prescribed wording for the consumer as required by law.

Stand-alone tumble dryer refers to a household appliance in which textiles are dried by tumbling in a rotating drum; and that uses mains electricity as the only power source for heating; and has a rated drying capacity not exceeding 15 kilograms. The commonly available household tumble dryers and 2-in-1 washer dryers are included under the enhanced Scheme; however, gas dryers, non-drum type dryers, or cloth care appliances are excluded under the enhanced Scheme.

Dehumidifier refers to a dehumidifier within the descriptions in Division 5 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Cap. 598). In general, dehumidifiers operate by using vapour compression cycle with a rated dehumidifying capacity not exceeding 35 litres per day. The commonly available compressor-type or condensing dehumidifiers are included under the enhanced Scheme; however, thermo ventilators, desiccant dehumidifiers and dehumidifiers that may operate by using desiccant materials, are excluded under the enhanced Scheme but do not include those operate by using desiccant materials.