Legislative Amendments enabling implementation of Electronic Submission Hub gazetted
The subsidiary legislation under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123), namely the Building (Administration) (Amendment) Regulation 2021, the Building (Minor Works) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulation 2021 and the Building (Inspection and Repair) (Amendment) Regulation 2021, were gazetted today (September 10).
Corresponding to the above amendments, amendments to the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553) and the Electronic Transactions (Exclusion) Order, viz the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 3) (No. 2) Order 2021 and the Electronic Transactions (Exclusion) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2021, were also gazetted today.
The Buildings Department is developing an Electronic Submission Hub (ESH), which is expected to roll out in three stages. The above legislative proposal aims to progressively allow submission and processing of documents required under the BO and its subsidiary legislation electronically through the ESH as an alternative to the current paper-based system.
The proposed amendment regulations and orders will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on September 15, with a view to them coming into operation on March 31, 2022, to dovetail the first stage of the ESH. The commencement dates of Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the proposed amendments will be announced through separate commencement notices according to the implementation plan and development progress of the various stages of the ESH. The ESH is expected to be fully implemented in the second quarter of 2025. By then all types of plans and other relevant applications under the BO could be processed electronically.
The Buildings Department will communicate with building professionals and stakeholders to introduce the relevant amendment regulations and orders. The department will also issue practice notes on the requirements and procedures of making electronic submissions for the reference of registered building professionals and registered contractors.
Ends/Friday, September 10, 2021