Hong Kong Immigration insights on Hong Kong immigrant life: Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, stated on the 17th that the SAR government is currently drafting amendments to the Building (Standards of Sanitary Fitments, Plumbing, Drainage Works and Latrines) Regulations to increase the number of female restrooms in public places. It is expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council for deliberation at the beginning of the next legislative session.
In response to a legislator's question at the Legislative Council that day, Paul Chan Mo-po pointed out that after considering the views of the industry and various parties, the SAR government proposed to increase the estimated ratio of male to female restroom usage in public places from 1:1 to 1:1.5, thereby raising the standards for the number of female restroom facilities. To implement the relevant standards as soon as possible, the Buildings Department incorporated these standards into the Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers in 2012 to provide guidance to the construction industry.
Paul Chan Mo-po said that the SAR government originally planned to amend the regulations comprehensively, but due to the complexity of the work, it was estimated that it would take many years. As the public expects the statutory standards for the number of female restrooms in public places to be raised as soon as possible, the authorities decided to amend the regulations in two phases. The first phase will focus on the amendments to increase the number of female restrooms, while other amendments will be left for the second phase.
It is reported that the SAR government submitted a document to the Legislative Council Panel on Development in January to brief them on the progress of the amendments. The first phase of the amendments is currently being drafted and is expected to be completed within two months. It is believed that it can be submitted to the Legislative Council for deliberation at the beginning of the next legislative session.
Paul Chan Mo-po stated that the sanitary standards raised by the relevant amendments will apply to buildings constructed after the legislation comes into effect. The government will closely monitor the usage of these facilities and consider further raising the relevant standards if necessary.
