HONG KONG -- The HKSAR government has introduced rules requiring certification and test reports that prove the fire-retardant performance of external scaffolding nets prior to use.

Bernadette Linn, secretary for development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, said on Thursday that designated samples must be taken as required by the government and submitted to its laboratory for testing. Only products that pass can be used. Regulators will also conduct random checks for verification.

Linn noted that the new rules apply not only to scaffolding nets used in repair and maintenance projects, but also to those used in new building construction and demolition works. Some flexibility will be given as newly built structures are unoccupied and therefore pose relatively lower risks.

She added that the HKSAR government will roll out supporting measures, including setting up sufficient designated testing centers, with the goal of issuing test results within one week after samples submission.

Linn said the Construction Industry Council (CIC) will coordinate bulk procurement and testing services. During the transition, the CIC will also offer 5,000 training places for industry practitioners, with subsidies available for trainees.

The CIC said it will establish a source-tracking labeling system to record the movement of scaffolding nets from manufacturing to deployment at construction sites, helping to standardize industry practices.