The Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong is consulting on a proposal to control the VOC content of 7 types of cleaning products under the Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation (a.k.a VOC Regulation). The public consultation will end on February 28, 2023.
VOC-containing consumer products are one of the major VOC emission sources in Hong Kong. Currently, the VOC Regulation covers 6 broad categories of household products, including air fresheners, floor wax strippers, hair sprays, aerosol insect repellents, insecticides, and multi-purpose lubricants. Their corresponding VOC content limits are available here. To further reduce VOC emissions and improve air quality, the authority intends to control more categories of household products that are commonly used but not well regulated in Hong Kong, e.g., cleaning products, personal care products, and laundry products.
This proposal targets 7 types of cleaning products (see table below). As proposed, the VOC content limits would apply from December 1, 2023. That’s to say, any person shall not manufacture in or import into Hong Kong the target cleaning products with VOC content exceeding the prescribed limits after that. Importers and manufacturers in Hong Kong shall review their products to ensure compliance with the stipulated content limits.
Click here to check more details about the proposal, as well as the definitions of target types of cleaning products.
