The Government will work out details of the proposed mandatory registration and labelling of volatile organic compounds in specified products with the cosmetics trade to minimise the proposal's impact to the trade.

The Environment, Transport & Works Bureau said this will also help strike balance between their interests and the need to improve air quality.

The bureau met with the Cosmetic & Perfumery Association of Hong Kong to gauge their views on the Government's proposal.

In response to the trade's concern on prior submission of a report for cosmetic products to be put on the market and the high cost for VOC testing, the bureau noted the test, according to laboratory quotations, costs between $2,000 and $3,000. Nevertheless, the Government takes the views of the trades seriously and will work out the details of the scheme with the trades through consultation.

The Government has also consulted local laboratories and the Hong Kong Association of Certification Laboratories Ltd and confirmed that local capabilities can provide the test service. Import products need not be tested locally.

The bureau stressed any proposal that can help expedite the reduction of VOC emissions and the trade's views will be considered.