A 4.18 million HK dollar (US$535,897) consultancy study was commissioned Monday to provide a user-friendly CEPAS that was tailor-made and applicable to all types of existing and new buildings in Hong Kong, according a spokesman for the Buildings Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

As a tool, the CEPAS is to assist in up-grading current environmental standards of the local building industry.

"After completion of the study, a set of local standard guidelines in determining the green status of buildings will be developed," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Buildings Department also commissioned a 4.88 million HK dollar (US$625,641) consultancy program to study the seismic effects on buildings in Hong Kong.

The 18-month study aims to assess the hazards and effects, evaluate the risks, formulate the mitigation strategies and set the priorities to deal with the various levels of risks posed by earthquakes to the structural safety of buildings in Hong Kong.

Both consultancy studies were awarded to Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd. The consultancy agreement was signed Monday between the Buildings Department and the company.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2002)