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Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Consumer protection in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Real Madrid legend Luis Figo sits on a sofa at the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, while fans hoping to get players’ autographs queue in the corridor. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog receives 19 complaints over Real Madrid fan meet fiasco

Consumer Council cites organisers as saying they will not be issuing full refunds.

Hong Kong society

Claws celebre: complaints spike over Hong Kong’s claw machines

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Hong Kong

Plasticisers in nearly half of desk mats sold in Hong Kong exceed EU standards

5 shampoos sold in Hong Kong found to contain chemicals banned in EU

Consumer Council urges people to identify cause of dandruff to avoid using unsuitable products that may aggravate the problem.

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The five brands found to contain the substances are Hair Corner, Mentholatum, Petal Fresh Pure, Clear and Philip B. Photo: Consumer Council
Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters | Hong Kong must watch out for dangers of black plastic

Readers discuss recent research on flame retardants in plastic products, and the suicide prevention system for students.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong cleaning firm fined HK$11 million in housing estate price-fixing case

Hong Kong Commercial Cleaning Services and two directors signed statement of agreed facts to settle case, Competition Commission says.

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Hong Kong

Cathay says sorry, removes Family Guy episode with Tiananmen ‘Tank Man’ scene

Carrier apologises after internet user complains over content potentially breaching national security law.

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Cathay Pacific has removed a Family Guy episode that contains a scene of Tiananmen Square’s “Tank Man” from its in-flight content. Photo: Fuzzy Door Productions
Hong Kong economy

30% of travel platforms fail to state data retention policies: Hong Kong watchdog

Watchdog reviews privacy policies of 10 travel platforms, finds three have yet to add data retention sections after being contacted.

Cop29

Letters | Conflict of interest should have ruled out Azerbaijan as Cop29 host

Readers discuss protecting the legitimacy of the COP climate talks, how a hit film is tapping Hong Kong’s rich traditions and the sales of phone subscriptions to foreign domestic workers.

Hong Kong society

These Hong Kong eatery chains won’t let you use your own takeaway container

Consumer watchdog staff pose as patrons to test willingness of 15 chain restaurants to package takeaway in containers they brought with them.

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The Consumer Council has suggested eateries formulate policies or guidelines for “bring your own container” practices. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog finds fragrance allergens in 12 laundry scent boosters

Consumer Council calls for possible labelling rules and finds four products contain chemical compound that can affect marine life.

The watchdog has said it will be worthwhile for the government to conduct studies on the fragrance products. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong consumer watchdog receives 529 complaints in 10 months over concerts

Denial of refunds, unclear arrangements for meeting performers and obstructed views among cases received by Consumer Council.

Hong Kong

Would cooling-off period stop Hongkongers from being burned by gym hard sell?

Customers of failed fitness chain Physical say they prepaid large amounts for services to be used over many years.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Viagra kick? Coffee with erectile dysfunction drug triggers Hong Kong warning

Department of Health says tests show Firstwell Tongkat Ali Premix Coffee contains sildenafil, an undeclared controlled drug ingredient.

Firstwell Tongkat Ali Premix Coffee is made in Malaysia, according to its packaging. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Shady practices at Hong Kong pain relief, ‘bone-manipulating’ centres spotlighted

Just three convictions due to grey areas in adverts for pain-management services, official says.

Some centres do not state clearly whether their services are provided by professionals, a government official says. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong buses under fire as most complained about public transport service

Public buses subject of more than 4,000 complaints in second quarter of 2024, increasing by 24.6 per cent year on year.

Hong Kong courts

Probiotic maker sues Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog over ‘defamatory’ report

IPC Works Limited files lawsuit against Consumer Council after watchdog publishes report saying PicoLabb product contained harmful bacteria.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong McDonald’s ‘not impacted by E coli outbreak linked to burgers in US

Company says ‘issue does not impact McDonald’s operations in Hong Kong in any way’.

According to McDonald’s menu in Hong Kong, it does not serve the Quarter Pounder. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Banking & finance

Letters | Hong Kong is playing the long game in digital asset regulation

Readers discuss the city’s ambition to be a regulatory hub for institutional digital assets, the difficult road to Mandarin competency, and supermarket shrinkflation.

Hong Kong economy

Outside In | For Hong Kong’s poorest, cheapflation hits harder than shrinkflation

Worryingly, prices are rising faster for cheap products than premium items as AI boosts retailers’ dynamic pricing abilities.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong watchdog urges retailers to relax restrictions on e-gift cards

Consumer Council finds discrepancies in policies for cards sold by 10 retailers, in areas such as purchase methods, expiry dates and refunds.

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has logged around 40 complaints related to e-gift cards every year since 2021. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong watchdog uncovers widespread shrinkflation among supermarket products

Consumer Council finds weight or volume of large majority of surveyed supermarket products cut by as much as 30 per cent while maintaining prices.

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Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has urged retailers to be more transparent in the way they displayed changes in packaging or unit prices of items. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong

No antioxidant acid found in 1 of 17 vitamin C serums tested: Hong Kong watchdog

Product by South Korean brand Missha has no ascorbic acid, while many others also over-reported quantities of antioxidant ingredient.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Perfit gym offers 3-year deals to clients of scandal-hit Physical

Customers who accept deal can use services already paid for under now-defunct Physical chain.

War and conflict

Letters | Be warned, the pain of war lingers long after the fighting ends

Readers reflect on the scars of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, waste management solutions for Hong Kong and the ticketing scramble for next year’s Coldplay show.

Azerbaijan soldiers walk near the Lachin checkpoint, on September 26 last year. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong

Hong Kong customers with Physical beauty packages can transfer them: investor

Contracts in fitness section are still being sorted out and customers will need to wait a few more days, spokeswoman says.

The former Physical branch in Hollywood Plaza in Mong Kok has reopened as Perfit. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Perfit gym reopens another branch formerly run by defunct Physical

About 30 people seen at Mong Kok gym reopened by Perface, the medical beauty firm in talks with owner of now-closed fitness giant Physical.

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp accuses Physical of owing it HK$2.8 million in rent, fees

Corporation is seeking to recover HK$320,000, the sum remaining after deducting HK$2.48 million deposit paid by now-defunct gym chain in 2021.

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