The detailed definition of the eight 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:
The definitions of air conditioner, washing machine and refrigerator are the same as those under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme. Also, 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" -
A removal service plan formulated by a seller needs to fulfill the following requirements, in respect of a "recycler" -
Under normal circumstances, the recycling labels provided by sellers should be provided (to the seller) by registered suppliers who distribute regulated electrical equipment to them. That said, any person who needs recycling labels can also purchase them by paying an amount equivalent to the relevant recycling levy to Environmental Protection Department.
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):
A product set out in this receipt is regulated electrical equipment under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603). The Ordinance imposes a recycling levy on the product as follows: |
Air conditioner: $125 per item Refrigerator: $165 per item Washing machine: $125 per item Television: $165 per item Computer: $15 per item Printer: $15 per item Scanner: $15 per item Monitor: $45 per item |
The removal service record kept by the seller should contain the following information:
The seller may enquire with the relevant supplier to arrange for return of the damaged recycling labels or provide proof of the loss of labels (e.g. a simple declaration or report of loss to the Police) to request reprovision. If the supplier is unable to re-provide the labels, sellers may raise an application with the Environmental Protection Department for reprovision, attaching the above mentioned proof.
Sellers should draw up their own return and exchange policies for consumers' reference, including how to handle the return of recycling labels provided along with the regulated electrical equipment. If eventually the consumer is unable to return the label, sellers may also report such fact to the Environmental Protection Department, and provide the relevant supporting documents to apply for reprovision of labels.
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 provide a recycling label and a receipt containing the prescribed wording for the consumer as required by law.
If consumers have purchased REE from sellers prior to the implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS), and the seller is only arranging delivery in accordance with the agreement on/after the implementation of the WPRS, the Environmental Protection Department considers that sellers are not obliged to arrange free removal service, or provide recycling labels and receipts with prescribed wording in respect of such REE. That said, from the perspectives of good customer service and environmental protection, we encourage sellers to facilitate their customer to arrange proper recycling of the spent item as far as possible, turning waste into resources.
Reason for return of goods | Are provision of removal service, recycling label and receipt containing the prescribed wording required? |
The consumer has rescinded the purchase with the seller before taking delivery of goods | As the equipment concerned has not been used by the consumer, the seller must arrange a free statutory removal service and provide a recycling label and a receipt containing the prescribed wording as required by law when re-distributing it to other consumers. |
The consumer, after accepting the goods, requests the seller to take back the electrical equipment (be it defective, damaged or intact) and the seller agrees to do so | As the equipment concerned has been used by the consumer and is no longer REE in nature, the seller is not required to fulfill the relevant obligations when re-distributing the goods.
Generally speaking, we understand that members of the trade will make it clear to the buyers that the goods have been returned so as to avoid contravening the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. |
Under the Product Eco-responsibility Ordinance (Cap. 603), household refrigerators and other commercial refrigerator/ freezers with rated total storage volume exceeding 500L are not regarded as regulated electrical equipment (REE). Hence, suppliers are not required to pay the recycling levy, and sellers are not required to provide the statutory removal service for customers of such kind of electrical equipment.
Under the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS), WEEE · PARK collects and treats REE items only. Members of the public can hand over non-regulated household electrical appliances, including household refrigerators with rated total storage volume exceeding 500L, to Community Green Stations for proper handling. For details, please click here.
Starting from 1 July 2024, household refrigerators with rated total storage volume exceeding 500L and up to 900L will be regarded as REE. Sellers shall arrange statutory removal service for consumers purchasing new household refrigerators if requested.
Existing sellers who will also distribute dehumidifiers or tumble dryers on or after 1 July 2024 should apply for change to endorse RSP to EPD using Form REE-6 (Version 01/24). Application for change to endorsed RSP shall be completed before 1 July 2024 in order to continue your business of distributing dehumidifiers / tumble dryers.