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Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

The latest news and top stories on Hong Kong’s Consumer Council. A prominent Hong Kong-based independent statutory body, Hong Kong’s Consumer Council is dedicated to safeguarding consumer rights and enhancing welfare. Established in 1974, its primary mission involves promoting fair market practices and empowering consumers. The Council’s main activities include handling complaints, mediating disputes, conducting product testing and market research and providing consumer education through publications like CHOICE Magazine. It plays a significant role in advocating for pro-consumer policies and legislation, contributing to a safe and just consumption environment.

The watchdog found that most glasses lacked the labelling and warning statements required under European standards. Photo: Getty Images

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Over half of tested reading specs fail to list key details to prevent eye strain

Consumer Council tested 17 models of ready-to-wear reading glasses between January and May this year.

15 Jul 2026 - 4:08PM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Watchdog urges clearer terms as complaints about hotels near 1,000 annually

15 Jun 2026 - 5:41PM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Claw machine operators told to get a grip on player complaints after 760% jump

15 Jun 2026 - 6:17PM

War and conflict

Editorial | Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran

While shielded by the national economy, the city needs to maintain an open, transparent market to deter abusive behaviour.

16 Mar 2026 - 3:53PM

An attendant fillls a tank at a petrol station in Mong Kok on March 11. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong entertainment

Sour note for fans after Taiwanese rock band Mayday switches Hong Kong date

Veteran rockers’ show originally scheduled for March 24 cancelled, with new concert added on March 29.

10 Mar 2026 - 9:15PM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog urges better elderly services after 9,206 complaints

Complaints received over past three years include one from woman who spent HK$400,000 on beauty treatments, Consumer Council says.

15 Jan 2026 - 7:52PM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds 1 in 4 face washes fall short on ingredients

Consumers urged to try a small portion on skin beforehand as a precaution when using cleansers that are highly acidic.

15 Dec 2025 - 7:16PM

Consumer Council CEO Alaina Shum (left) and Kenneth Chan hold a press conference at the council’s office in North Point. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong society

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

Consumer watchdog says courses at 11 driving schools fell short of 30-hour training requirement, forcing students to buy extra lessons.

17 Nov 2025 - 5:37PM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

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.

15 Oct 2025 - 7:16PM

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.

22 Sep 2025 - 7:15AM

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

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.

16 Sep 2025 - 9:18PM

The organiser of the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong later issued refunds in response to the public backlash. Photo: Dickson Lee

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

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.

15 Sep 2025 - 7:38PM

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

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.

15 Sep 2025 - 7:52PM

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.

15 Sep 2025 - 8:21PM

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council has urged parents not to buy prepaid vaccinations plans for their children without first consulting a doctor. Photo: Jelly Tse

Art

Opinion | How Hong Kong’s balloon and inflatables events often let people down

The Hot Air Balloon Festival farce isn’t the first time Hong Kong has struggled with giant inflatables. That doesn’t bode well for Christmas.

11 Sep 2025 - 5:26PM

A deflated hot air balloon is seen at the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Festival on September 6, 2025. Photo: Karma Lo

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Go with the flow: Hong Kong consumer watchdog posts portable fan performance gaps

Study of products shows disparity in airflow and battery life, as well as concerns over ‘inadequate’ safety manuals.

15 Jul 2025 - 8:24PM

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council

Over half of tested reading specs fail to list key details to prevent eye strain

Consumer Council tested 17 models of ready-to-wear reading glasses between January and May this year.

Watchdog urges clearer terms as complaints about hotels near 1,000 annually

Claw machine operators told to get a grip on player complaints after 760% jump

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran

While shielded by the national economy, the city needs to maintain an open, transparent market to deter abusive behaviour.

Sour note for fans after Taiwanese rock band Mayday switches Hong Kong date

Veteran rockers’ show originally scheduled for March 24 cancelled, with new concert added on March 29.

Hong Kong consumer watchdog urges better elderly services after 9,206 complaints

Complaints received over past three years include one from woman who spent HK$400,000 on beauty treatments, Consumer Council says.

Hong Kong consumer watchdog finds 1 in 4 face washes fall short on ingredients

Consumers urged to try a small portion on skin beforehand as a precaution when using cleansers that are highly acidic.

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

Consumer watchdog says courses at 11 driving schools fell short of 30-hour training requirement, forcing students to buy extra lessons.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Opinion | How Hong Kong’s balloon and inflatables events often let people down

The Hot Air Balloon Festival farce isn’t the first time Hong Kong has struggled with giant inflatables. That doesn’t bode well for Christmas.

Go with the flow: Hong Kong consumer watchdog posts portable fan performance gaps

Study of products shows disparity in airflow and battery life, as well as concerns over ‘inadequate’ safety manuals.

Editorial | Hong Kong should work to ensure a steady fuel supply amid war in Iran