30 January 2007

 FHKI launches Green Mark

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) announced today (Tuesday) in a press conference that the ‘Hong Kong Green Mark Certification Scheme’ (Green Mark) is officially launched. Green Mark is a green-manufacturing certification scheme designed for manufacturing and service companies of any size operating in Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau.

Green Mark is managed under the Hong Kong Q-Mark Council established under the auspices of the FHKI, and commended and recognised by the Hong Kong Green Manufacturing Alliance (HKGMA). It is a system certification scheme designed to identify, control and monitor the environmental aspects of a company’s operation.

FHKI deputy chairman and Hong Kong Q-Mark Council chairman Cliff Sun says, “As environmental conversation becomes increasingly important, it is a general trend for manufacturers to set up their own green management system. The FHKI has worked with the HKGMA for over a year before Green Mark is launched, and the aim is to raise industry’s awareness of green management. Through helping companies identify, control and monitor the environmental aspects of their operations, Green Mark can direct them to establish environmental performance benchmarks and make continuous improvement to achieve the desired level of environmental standards. This will also help sustain Hong Kong’s future development.”

Since 1978, the Hong Kong Q-Mark Council has been promoting the Q-Mark Certification Schemes to enhance the quality standards of product and service companies as well as the value of branding through a well established auditing system. The Council and its auditor will review the certified companies’ performance regularly and perform a full audit to ascertain whether their operations have maintained the specified desired level of performance. The newly launched Green Mark is also a system certification scheme which focuses on environmental performance.

        Mr Sun also explains that to be eligible for Green Mark, companies should develop their own green manufacturing systems and define specific goals, policies and pledges, to make sure that their staff recognise the importance and urgency of environmental protection. Then they should implement the plans and encourage participation from their employees. Through monitoring and regular analysis on performance, continuous review and improvement is expected. Once certified with Green Mark, companies can improve their environmental performance, realise substantial long-term savings, enhance company image, as well as enhance their competitiveness.

“To manufacturers, Green Mark is a more feasible and practical scheme. We see it as the starting point towards higher-level international certification scheme. This is why we shall actively promote the Green Mark to our members,” says Professor K B Chan, chairman of HKGMA.

HKGMA was established in 2005 by the FHKI and six other associations, namely Hong Kong Electronics Industries Association, Hong Kong Electrical Appliances Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Toys Council, Hong Kong Watch and Clock Council, Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association. Its main objectives are to help manufacturers meet the increasingly stringent environmental requirements imposed by the European Union and other overseas markets, as well as to encourage industries to meet green standards through the application of innovative technologies and products.

Professor Chan says, “With Green Mark certification, companies are ascertained with their work and commitment towards green manufacturing, while meeting certain benchmarks. They can also demonstrate to their customers, both local and overseas, that they are pursuing a recognised green management system. After certified companies will receive quarterly review to ensure the required standards are met. Green Mark certificate must be renewed once every three years, and a full audit will be performed in the company before renewal.”

He emphasised that Green Mark is a voluntary scheme which looks into the production and/or operations of manufacturers and service providers. Adjustments with regard to operations, administration and production processes will undoubtedly be involved during the verification process, however, these challenges can help ensure that Green Mark standards are met, which in turn reinforce companies’ competitive edge in the world market.

Mr Sun concluded that Q-Mark has built up its own reputation as a credible quality standard over the past 20 years or so, and to most consumers, it assures good quality. It is expected the first batch of Green Mark Certificates will be presented at the Hong Kong Q-Mark Annual Presentation Ceremony to be held on 18 May 2007. It is hoped that Green Mark will play a vital role in fostering continuous green development by Hong Kong companies.

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