TOPIC

Consumer protection in Hong Kong

Consumer protection in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Consumer Council is a watchdog focused on consumer rights and welfare.
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

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

No love lost as complaints soar over Hong Kong dating services and apps

Hong Kong economy

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

Insurance

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

Consumer Council says travellers should fully understand how policies define key terms and what activities are covered.

A traveller picks up her luggage at a baggage collection belt in Hong Kong International Airport. The Consumer Council notes 55 complaints over travel insurance claims were filed in the first 10 months of 2025. Photo: Roy Issa
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.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

As of this month, drivers of private cars must ensure children under eight years old or shorter than 1.35 metres are secured in appropriate child restraints. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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.

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.

Police launch an undercover traffic law-enforcement operation in Kowloon East on October 24, issuing tickets to 31 passengers found not wearing seatbelts. Photo: Handout
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.

About 1,500 of Hong Kong’s clinics and beauty parlours that provide injections to customers must get a licence under the city’s new regulations while 3,500 are eligible for an exemption if a registered doctor or dentist is operating them, subject to code of practice. Photo: Shutterstock
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 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.

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.

The catering and retail sectors are expected to enjoy a surge in hairy crab sales. Photo: Edmond So
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.

videocam
The hot-air balloon festival in Central triggered a flurry of complaints after tethered rides were cancelled. Photo: Dickson Lee
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.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

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

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.

7
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.

More than 90 per cent of 30 clay masks tested in Hong Kong have been found to contain heavy metals. Photo: May Tse
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’s Consumer Council has urged parents not to buy prepaid vaccinations plans for their children without first consulting a doctor. Photo: Jelly Tse
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.

videocam
4
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.

videocam
8
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’s private telehealth services are operating with not enough transparency and government guidance, the city’s consumer watchdog has found, calling on the authorities to offer detailed guidelines and the industry to specify qualified service providers. Photo: handout
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.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has called for unified doctor accreditation to ensure the quality of telemedicine services. Photo: Getty Images
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 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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement