Officers of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) make regular inspections of potential air polluting plants and respond to air pollution complaints raised by the public. Enforcement is empowered by the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO) and its subsidiary regulations. When appropriate, the EPD gives advice or issues a legal notice to the premises to abate the air pollution. If the advice or legal notice is ignored, legal action is then taken against the offender. In 2015, the EPD gave advice on 2 662 occasions, served 218 notices and undertook 108 prosecutions under the APCO and 2 prosecutions under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (OLPO) (see chart below).
Air Pollution Enforcement Statistics in 2015
| Chimney Applications Processed | 480 |
| Specified Process Licences (Newly Issued) | 5 |
| Notices Served | 218 |
| Prosecutions (APCO & OLPO) | 110 |
| Technical Advice Given | 2 662 |
Fines Imposed for Air Pollution Convictions in 2015 (HK$)
| Total | Highest | Lowest | Average | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breach of Asbestos Requirement | 356 000 | 30 000 | 2 000 | 9 889 |
| Illegal Installation/Alteration | 252 000 | 65 200 | 4 000 | 11 464 |
| Fails to comply with air pollution abatement notice | 149 000 | 30 000 | 3 000 | 9 933 |
| Contravention of terms and conditions of licence | 62 000 | 15 000 | 5 000 | 7 750 |
| Breach of Construction Dust Regulation | 38 000 | 6 000 | 2 500 | 4 222 |
| Breach of Open Burning Regulation | 18 300 | 6 000 | 800 | 3 660 |
| Breach of Fuel Restriction Regulation | 10 000 | 3 500 | 3 000 | 3 333 |
| Dark Smoke Emission | 11 000 | 6 000 | 5 000 | 5 500 |
| Breach of Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance | 80 000 | 80 000 | 80 000 | 80 000 |
| Breach of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulation | 4 000 | 4 000 | 4 000 | 4 000 |
| Defective Design | 25 000 | 25 000 | 25 000 | 25 000 |
