The Government will introduce on August 1 an International Organization for Standardization (IOS) standard microchip that contains the specific code of Hong Kong for identifying dogs.

The IOS microchip will also serve as evidence that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau said the Government will introduce an ISO microchip containing the city’s specific code, in addition to the existing AVID microchip.

Dogs in Hong Kong already implanted with the AVID microchip and dogs legally imported and implanted with the ISO microchip, do not need to additionally implant the ISO microchip containing the Hong Kong specific code.

As ISO microchip is commonly used in many countries and places, the new measure will further facilitate the movement of dogs into and out of Hong Kong while ensuring the source of the microchip could be traced.

Two notices about the introduction of the IOS microchip and the exemption measures respectively, were published in the Gazette today.

The Government has consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety & Environmental Hygiene and stakeholders regarding the notices, and obtained general support for the new measures.

The Rabies Regulation (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 and the Rabies (Transponders on Imported Dogs) (Exemption) Notice will be tabled before LegCo on June 11 for negative vetting, and will enter into force on August 1.