In view of the change of cable colour code in the western countries, the "Working Group on the Review of Cable Colour Code in Hong Kong"^# was established in 2003 to evaluate the impact of the change on Hong Kong. Members of the Working Group come from the following government departments, power companies, workers and contractors associations, cable supplier and professional and academic institutions as follows:

The membership of the working group is as follows:

• Association of Electrical Contractors
• Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society
• CLP Power Hong Kong Limited
• Hong Kong & Kowloon Electrical Engineering & Appliances Trade Workers Union
• Hong Kong Electrical Contractor Association Limited
• Hong Kong & Kowloon Electric Trade Association
• Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
• Keystone Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd.
• Occupational, Safety & Health Council
• The Association of Consulting Engineers of Hong Kong
• The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (Hong Kong Branch)
• The Federation of Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Industries Trade Unions
• The Hong Kong Electric Co., Ltd.
• The Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Limited
• The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• The Institution of Engineering and Technology Hong Kong
• Architectural Services Department
• Housing Department
• Water Supplies Department

The Terms of Reference of the Working Group are as follows:

1. To evaluate the safety implications and impact to the Hong Kong electrical trade on cable colour change in UK and Europe.
2. To study the programme and measures adopted by other countries in changing cable colours.
3. To study the practical problems encountered in overseas countries (e.g. in UK and New Zealand) in effecting the colour change, especially in the interim / grace period.
4. To study the feasibility, both technically and commercially, on supplying cables of custom-made colours for Hong Kong.
5. To evaluate and make recommendation on the future strategy of cable colour code in Hong Kong electrical trade (which standard to follow or to have own Hong Kong standard).
6. To report to Electrical Safety Advisory Committee on progress of the study, related activities of the working group and make recommendations.

Three Task Groups were later set up under the Working Group, viz. Technical Support Task Group (TSTG), Training Task Group (TTG) and Publicity Task Group (PTG). The TSTG identifies and evaluates the safety implications of the change and monitors the sources of cable supply in Hong Kong. The TTG prepares practical guidelines for the trade to follow, and devises the training plan and training materials for trade workers. The PTG devises a publicity plan for the trade, industry and the public to meet the change.

# The name has been changed to "Working Group on the Review and Implementation of Cable Colour Code in Hong Kong".