1 Entertainment Special Effects Bill Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau

2 Entertainment Special Effects Bill To govern the supply, use, conveyance and storage of dangerous goods for the production of special effects in films, television programmes and theatrical performances To be gazetted on 11 February 2000 To be introduced into the Legislative Council on 23 February 2000

3 Objectives of the New Legislation To streamline and improve existing regulatory measures To meet the operational needs of the industry while protecting public safety

4 Existing Regulatory Regime Governed by the Dangerous Goods Ordinance and the Gas Safety Ordinance Existing legislation is not specifically designed for the entertainment industry, thus cannot meet the needs of the industry

5 Inadequacies of Existing Regulatory Regime Regulatory responsibilities are shared among five different departments A separate discharge permit is required for each discharge of pyrotechnic materials (including rehearsals, reshooting etc.) No licensing system for local special effects operators Very stringent regulation of the combined use of pyrotechnic materials and other dangerous goods

6 Conducting a Review Considerations - Operational needs of the film and entertainment industries Public safety and security requirements Regulatory regime for the film industry in Hollywood and advice of a US consultant

7 New Regulatory Regime under Entertainment Special Effects Bill To set up an Entertainment Special Effects Licensing Authority To license special effects operators To issue permits for the discharge of special effects materials To regulate the registration, supply, conveyance and storage of pyrotechnic special effects materials To issue and approve codes of practice

8 Regulatory Regime under Entertainment Special Effects Bill Point of entry in Hong Kong of pyrotechnic special effects materials Non-movable Store Licence Other licensed suppliers Licensed special effects operators Conveyance Permit Non-movable Store Supplier Licence Supplier Legend Flow of pyrotechnic special effects materials Licences/Permits required under the Entertainment Special Effects Bill

9 Regulatory Regime under Entertainment Special Effects Bill Pyrotechnic special effects materials imported by licensed special effects operator himself Pyrotechnic special effects materials from licensed supplier Special Effects Operator Non-pyrotechnic special effects materials Non-movable Store Conveyance Permit Non-movable Store Licence Movable Store Movable Store Licence Special Effects Operator Licence Discharge Permit Conveyance Permit Legend Flow of special effects materials Licences/Permits required under the Entertainment Special Effects Bill Special Effects Operator Licence Venue for Discharge

10 Merits of New Regulatory Regime over Existing Regime Licensing Authority will provide one-stop regulatory services Licensing of local special effects operators will enhance professional expertise Arrangements for issue of discharge permits will be streamlined and improved Registration of pyrotechnic special effects materials will facilitate application for discharge permits Licensing of suppliers of pyrotechnic special effects materials will help to protect public safety Regulatory measures for the storage and conveyance of pyrotechnic special effects materials will be streamlined and improved

11 Public Consultation LegCo Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting Film Services Advisory Committee Film and entertainment industries are on the whole supportive of the proposed regulatory system

12 Impacts of New Regulatory Regime on the Film Industry in Hong Kong Enhancing Professional expertise of local practitioners Safer production of entertainment special effects Meeting the operational needs of the industry Encouraging the industry to comply with relevant requirements Attracting films involving the production of entertainment special effects to carry out location shooting in Hong Kong Conducive to the long-term healthy development of the local film industry