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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.
A screenshot of website of M&F Lucky Holiday. Licensed travel agencies are required to provide notice of their intention to close at least 14 days in advance. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong travel agency probed for revealing closure day before it folded

M&F Lucky Holiday, which owes 1,500 customers about HK$1.7 million for cancelled tours, could be in breach of Travel Industry Ordinance.

Insurance

Hong Kong watchdog urges scrutiny of travel insurance terms amid claims disputes

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong driving schools slammed over opaque fees, insufficient training hours

Hong Kong society

Letters | Regulation of Hong Kong’s beauty industry cannot be skin deep

Readers discuss the need for stricter oversight of a fast-growing sector, the proper usage of the archaic ‘cum’, and Trump’s plan to cut the budget deficit.

While stricter rules are being introduced for clinic-based intrusive treatments, non-intrusive services such as body slimming and skin firming continue to thrive, often backed by celebrity endorsements. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong transport

Opinion | Hong Kong’s road safety laws must be enforced with clarity and care

Safety is non-negotiable, but for long-term adherence to the city’s new rules, people must feel supported rather than policed.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Medical Council must handle all complaints fairly and promptly

The watchdog’s decision to throw out a case against a paediatrician following an 8-year delay is unfair to all parties involved.

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Consumers

Hong Kong consumer watchdog urges caution over prepaid restaurant coupon schemes

Major restaurant chains using coupon promotions to boost business amid sluggish market, but Consumer Council warns risks remain.

Cafe de Coral are among the major restaurant chains offering discounted cash coupons to attract customers. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Hong Kong’s tighter seat belt rules are welcome but more can be done

Greater public awareness is required as the city makes long-overdue amendments to road safety rules.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Hong Kong’s licensing regime for clinics is just what the doctor ordered

The city’s licensing rules for clinics and certain beauty parlours will strengthen trust in private healthcare and hopefully improve patient safety.

Pets

Some pet toys in Hong Kong have chemicals that can cause allergies: watchdog

But Consumer Council says 97 per cent of tested dog toys comply with migration limits stipulated in European safety standard for children’s toys.

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council has tested 30 dog toys and found the vast majority contain no harmful substances. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Private clinics, beauty parlours start securing licences under new Hong Kong rules

Dr Darwin Mak says licensing regime is introduced in response to a change in the way clinics operate and mainly targets those running as chains.

Beauty parlours providing injections to customers will also need to get a licence. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong set for cheaper, fresher hairy crabs as direct imports resume

Seasonal delicacy shipped directly from the mainland for the first time in 6 years.

Hong Kong society

Balloon festival organiser was urged to cancel rides: Hong Kong tourism minister

Rosanna Law says authorities told organiser eight days before event began on September 4 there was not enough time to test balloon rides.

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Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Editorial | Consumer Council right to flag issues around child vaccinations

Parents should heed the watchdog’s advice of avoiding prepaid vaccination schemes without prior medical consultation.

A child visits a vaccination site at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital in Ngau Tau Kok in 2022. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

3 held in Hong Kong after anti-ageing shots in clinic leave pair seriously ill

Three arrested for allegedly practising medicine without a licence at Bioscor Hong Kong clinic in Central.

The clinic is in Crawford House in Central. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to scrutinise Central Harbourfront lease after hot-air balloon saga

Central Harbourfront is among event spaces leased to private operators, with area hosting recent AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong banquet restaurant’s suspected closure upends wedding plans

Starry Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui had been accepting deposits for events and took part in wedding expo last month.

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Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Singaporean’s HK$30,400 bill sparks warning over Hong Kong pharmacy malpractices

‘These malpractices not only damage the reputation of Hong Kong’s retail and tourism industries, but also undermine tourists’ confidence,’ watchdog says.

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Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has recorded 548 complaints against pharmacies over malpractice in the first eight months of this year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

93% of tested clay masks found to contain heavy metals: Hong Kong watchdog

Apivita Express Beauty, Aromatica Tea Tree Pore Purifying clay masks found to have arsenic, lead levels exceeding mainland Chinese, US limits.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong watchdog warns against buying prepaid child vaccinations without advice

Consumer Council issues warning after finding most private service providers do not offer full refunds even when a child is unfit for a jab.

Hong Kong

How a Hong Kong mum’s eloquent balloon fest rant won fans and refunds

‘I have been told that having a crazy woman like me standing up has awoken the idea in some people that they can fight too,’ Dreamy Ho says.

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Dreamy Ho captured widespread attention in Hong Kong following a viral interview clip. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong officials ‘could have provided better guidance to failed balloon event’

Lawmakers Doreen Kong, Michael Tien say government should be more proactive when dealing with high-risk or special events.

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The Consumer Council has said it has received 303 related complaints involving HK$302,212 as of 5pm on Monday. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong’s telehealth market must put patient welfare front and centre

Online consultations can help ease the burden of the public healthcare system but robust quality standards should be upheld.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Do not just seek convenience from telemedicine, warns Hong Kong health minister

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau urges unified doctor accreditation to ensure telemedicine quality and safety amid calls for more oversight.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong telehealth services lack transparency and guidance: consumer watchdog

Consumer Council urges authorities to offer detailed guidelines and for industry to specify qualified service providers.

Hong Kong’s telehealth market is at the “beginning stage”, the consumer council has said. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Editorial | As Hong Kong hosts more mega-events, a tougher crackdown on scalping is needed

The smashing of a syndicate that allegedly targeted ticket-buyers should be a wake-up call to better protect the city’s concertgoers.

A giant poster of G.E.M.is displayed at Causeway Bay during her concert in Kai Tak Stadium on July 4. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong

Harmful substances found in 13 out of 28 school shoe models sold in Hong Kong

Consumer Council also says three out of 22 child car seats models sold locally have ‘weaker crash protection’.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog records 17,000 online shopping complaints in 2024

Complaints filed involved issues such as the inability to return products, delays resulting in fines and missing packages.

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