The Government published today (August 17) the revised Codes of Practice under the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) (BMO), namely:

(a) the Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods and Services; and

(b) the Code of Practice on Building Management and Safety,

which will take effect on September 1.

     The revised Codes of Practice have incorporated relevant proposals which the Home Affairs Bureau and the Home Affairs Department presented to the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs in November 2017 and are not in contravention of the existing BMO. With a view to ensuring that the Codes of Practice keep pace with societal changes, the revisions cover such areas as:

(a) the declaration of conflict of interests by agents and employees of an owners' corporation, preparation of invitation to tender, collection and opening of tenders and the timing of signing procurement contracts, etc. in the Code of Practice on Procurement of Supplies, Goods and Services; and

(b) the financial arrangement of an owners' corporation and the management and maintenance of common parts, etc. in the Code of Practice on Building Management and Safety.

     Pursuant to section 44(1) of the BMO, the Authority (i.e. the Secretary for Home Affairs) may from time to time prepare, revise and issue Codes of Practice giving guidance and direction as to:

(a) the procurement of supplies, goods and services required by an owners' corporation including such procurement by invitation to tender and the tender procedure in respect thereof; and

(b) the standards and practices of management and safety that are to be observed and followed by an owners' corporation.

     The revised Codes of Practice are available at the dedicated homepage on building management of the Home Affairs Department.

Ends/Friday, August 17, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:00

NNNN