Beauty, gym contracts-tightening bill in first half
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau hopes to submit proposed amendments to the Legislative Council in the first half of next year, introducing a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period and a 14-day refund period for prepaid contracts sold by beauty parlours and fitness centres. Under the proposed amendments to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the new requirements would…
The Hong Kong government plans to introduce a bill in the first half of next year aimed at tightening beauty and gym contracts. Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Algernon Yau is seeking to implement a mandatory seven-day cooling-off period and a 14-day refund window for prepaid contracts exceeding certain thresholds. These proposed changes to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance would apply to contracts valued at HK$3,000 or more, HK$8,000 or more, or HK$15,000 or more.
The legislator also wants to cap the duration of such contracts at two years, with operators required to commence services within three months of signing the agreement. Yau stated that the government is currently gathering input from both industries and the public following a consultation period that concluded last month. Both the fitness and beauty sectors strongly support the proposed seven-day cooling-off period, citing its widespread adoption in various international jurisdictions.
However, the industries have divergent opinions on the suggested thresholds, and the final figure may not necessarily align with the proposed amounts. The authorities plan to analyze median contract values and the nature of services, striving to strike a balance between protecting consumer rights and accommodating the industries' operational requirements.
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