The Environmental Protection Department said today it will not take enforcement actions against non-compliant businesses during the six-month adaptation period for the regulation of disposable plastic tableware and other plastic products.

The relevant legislation will come into effect on April 22 and the following six months will be designated as an adaptation period.

Announcing the arrangements for the adaptation period at a briefing this afternoon, Director of Environmental Protection Samuel Chui said the department will adopt a progressive model in implementing the new legislation.

At the early stage of the adaptation period, the department will arrange for staff to proactively inspect 20,000 eateries and 20,000 retail stores, as well as hotels and guesthouses, and focus on publicity and education work.

At a later stage of the adaptation period, the department will arrange for staff to visit those businesses which are found to be not yet compliant with the legislation, explain to them again the requirements under the legislation and give them advice and information.

The department advises businesses to exhaust their stock of regulated products within the adaptation period to avoid wastage, and to source suitable alternatives as soon as possible.

After the adaptation period, if businesses are still found not to be compliant with the legislation, the department will look into their individual circumstances and difficulties, and take appropriate measures such as giving further education, advice or warnings.

For businesses with records of repeated non-compliance, enforcement actions will be taken.

Mr Chui reaffirmed that the legislation does not target the general public, but rather regulates the supply of products. He stressed that members of the public need not worry about it.