18 h. ago 4 children’s raincoats fail Hong Kong watchdog’s physical, chemical safety tests

Four out of 14 children’s reusable raincoats tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog have failed physical and chemical safety tests due to having excessively long cords and drawstrings or posing a high risk of exposure to harmful substances. The Consumer Council said on Tuesday that one of the tested products, a B.Duck raincoat, contained levels of plasticiser that were nearly 11 times the limit outlined in the European Union’s safety standards. “The council has referred the test findings to the...

Events

19 h. ago Hong Kong consumer watchdog reveals wide variance in portable fan performance

The airflow rate among rechargeable portable fans could vary as much as more than 1.5 times, according to a study by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog. The Consumer Council, which tested 16 handheld and two neck-mounted products, found that among the lighter handheld models it examined, there was a variance of more than 1.5 times, while the discrepancy among the heavier models could be more than 1.3 times. “It is worth noting that among models with similar fan head size, the air flow could still...

Politics

19 h. ago Go with the flow: Hong Kong consumer watchdog posts portable fan performance gaps

The airflow rate among rechargeable portable fans can vary by more than 1.5 times, a study by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has found. The Consumer Council, which tested 16 handheld and two neck-mounted products, found that among the lighter handheld models it examined, there was a variance of more than 1.5 times. The discrepancy among the heavier models could be more than 1.3 times. “It is worth noting that among models with similar fan head size, the air flow can still vary considerably,” the...

Politics

6 d. ago Hong Kong tech and telecoms giants unite to combat online fraud

Hong Kong’s major social media, messaging platform providers and telecoms firms have pledged to strengthen checks on advertisers’ identities and remove fraudulent advertisements embedded with phishing links. Seven social media or messaging platforms and six telecommunications companies have joined the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) Anti-scam Consumer Protection Charter 3.0. The initiative commits them to proactively detecting fraud on their platforms and networks, as well as cooperating...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong restaurant Super Star closes last branch, leaving 50 workers in limbo

A 36-year-old Hong Kong seafood restaurant chain has abruptly shut down its last remaining branch, leaving about 50 employees in limbo as they seek to recover their unpaid wages. A notice announcing the closure of Super Star Seafood Restaurant was posted at its Moko shopping centre branch in Mong Kok on Wednesday. “In recent years, the catering industry in Hong Kong has been facing structural challenges. The local consumer market has continued to be weak and there has been a fundamental change...

Politics

2 w. ago Hungry for savings? Hong Kong restaurants, shops offer July 1 anniversary deals

Hong Kong consumers can expect to enjoy deals and discounts at more than 8,800 stores and restaurants as part of celebrations to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1, amid a sluggish economy. The Hong Kong Catering Industry Association said more than 3,800 food and beverage establishments would provide discounts on the occasion, while the city’s Retail Management Association said 5,000 stores would kick off a two-month shopping festival on the same...

Economics

2 w. ago Hong Kong band Mirror’s Keung To says he consumed alcohol, painkillers before fall

Cantopop idol Keung To, a member of popular Hong Kong boy band Mirror, has said that he had been drinking alcohol and took painkillers for a headache before he accidentally fell into the sea while jogging on Tuesday. Keung, 26, revealed more details about his fall into the harbour before flying to Paris on Wednesday night. Earlier, he and three other band members met fans at an event, which drew criticism over the organisers’ decision to press ahead with the event despite Keung’s accident. Keung...

Events

3 w. ago Logistics expert takes the helm of Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog

A senior management member of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training provider with extensive experience in the logistics sector, has been named the new chief executive of the consumer watchdog. Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, appointed by the Consumer Council, will start her new role in August, succeeding Gilly Wong Fung-han, who led the watchdog for 13 years. Shum is currently a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, possessing more than 30 years of...

Politics

3 w. ago Logistics expert takes helm of Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog

A senior management member of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training provider with extensive experience in the logistics sector, has been named the new chief executive of the consumer watchdog. Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, appointed by the Consumer Council, will start her new role in August, succeeding Gilly Wong Fung-han, who led the watchdog for 13 years. Shum is currently a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, possessing more than 30 years of...

Politics

3 w. ago Vocational Training Council’s Alaina Shum to lead Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog

A senior management member of Hong Kong’s largest vocational training provider with extensive experience in the logistics sector has been named the new chief executive of the consumer watchdog. Alaina Shum Jiu-fai, appointed by the Consumer Council, will start her new role in August, succeeding Gilly Wong Fung-han, who led the watchdog for 13 years. Shum is currently a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, with more than 30 years of managerial...

Politics

4 w. ago 80% of 25 eyeshadows found to contain heavy metals: Hong Kong consumer watchdog

More than 80 per cent of 25 cream and liquid eyeshadows tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog have been found to contain heavy metals that may cause skin allergy, with lead being detected in all products, but at levels that do not pose safety concerns. Nine of the 25 single-colour models in stick, cream and liquid form did not list an expiry date or period after opening, according to the Consumer Council. Ten products only listed ingredients in Japanese or provided no such label. “The industry...

Politics

last month Allergenic preservatives in 3 dough toys sold in Hong Kong exceed EU standards

The levels of allergy-inducing preservatives in three samples of modelling dough and clay tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog have been found to exceed EU standards, with one surpassing the limit for toys intended for children under 36 months by more than tenfold. The Consumer Council bought 15 modelling dough and clay toys from various stores, costing between HK$12 and HK$128 (US$1.52 and US$16). The samples comprised six wheat doughs, three rice doughs and six clay toys. The three toys...

Politics