Background

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Government took positive action towards a registration process in 1986 and 1987, culminating in formal discussions with the then Lands and Works Branch in late 1987. Agreement was reached that :

1. Separate boards should be formed for Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Planners.
2. Primary reasons were Consumer Protection and statutory functions (i.e. licensing), with Public Safety of paramount importance.
3. Government would be represented on the Boards by non-members of the profession concerned, but it was stressed that Government approved the principle of self-regulation.
4. Membership would not be restricted to membership of the corresponding institution, i.e. not to operate as a "closed shop".
5. Boards should be distinct from the professional qualifying bodies, and have full-time Registrars.

Objectives

Specific objectives were listed after a meeting (HKIE and /Land and Works Branch) on 7 December 1987 :

1. Development of a strong stable profession in each case with the protection of law and a well ordered and structured set of rules.
2. Consumer protection.
3. Organisation and rationalisation of licensing for statutory functions.
4. Identification of properly qualified professionals.
5. Protection of Professionals.
6. Enhancement of the regulation of the professions.

Functions

As a consequence the Engineers Registration Ordinance was enacted in 1990. Since then some 1700 engineers registered in 16 disciplines. The functions of the Engineers Registration Board under the Engineers Registration Ordinance are related to the process of Registration, Qualifications for Registration, Disciplinary Proceedings and Procedures of the Board. The functions of the Board as outlined in Section 7 of the ordinance, chapter 409 are as follows:

1. establish and maintain a register of registered professional engineers;
2. designate disciplines within the engineering professional under which a person may be registered as a registered professional engineer;
3. set and review the qualification standards for registration as a registered professional engineer and related registration matters;
4. advise the Government and the Institution on registration matters;
5. examine and verify the qualifications of persons who apply for registration as registered professional engineers;
6. receive, examine accept or reject applications for registration and renewal of registration as a registered professional engineer;
7. deal with disciplinary offenses in accordance with this Ordinance;
8. keep proper records of it's proceedings and accounts; and
9. carry out such other functions as this ordinance may prescribe.