For registered arborists, tree risk assessors and tree work supervisors, as their responsibilities are very wide and involve professional thinking and judgement that are not apparent from observation, performance should be regulated through investigation and inquiry. The regulatory process would be activated on alleged non-performers through complaints to the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau by the industry, private property owners, property management personnel and government tree management departments.
As the responsibilities of registered tree climbers and chainsaw operators are largely operational, observable and countable in nature, a demerit point system is adopted to regulate performance of registered tree climbers and chainsaw operators. Details of the demerit point system are as follows:
| Breach of Code of Conduct | Demerit Points to be Incurred |
|---|---|
| Represent inaccurately their areas of competence, qualifications, experience and registered personnel type | 5 |
| Practise non-registered personnel type or failed to work under the supervision of registered Tree Work Supervisors | 5 |
| Provide incomplete, inaccurate or incorrect information in any dealing with the Government, co-workers, employers, clients or the public | 10 |
| Deliver improper or substandard tree work causing unnecessary damage to trees | 10 |
| Perform unsafe acts posing potential hazard to themselves, co-workers or the public at the workplace / on site and damage to wildlife or habitat, property or environment | 10 |
| Not comply with legislations, polices, practice standards and guidelines regarding tree management in Hong Kong | 10 |
Note: Every personnel starts with zero demerit points. Demerit points will be incurred for a breach of Code of Conduct and accumulated from the date of the breach on top of the demerit points a personnel has already have for previous breach of Code of Conduct.
The complainant who wish to complain about the practice of any registered tree management personnel shall submit the complaint to the Tree Management Personnel Registration Unit, the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau (the "Registration Unit") using the "Complaint Form" or online E-form.
| Accumulated Points | Types of Discipline |
|---|---|
| 5 to 20 | To issue an advisory letter |
| 25 to 35 | To issue a warning letter |
| 40 | To post a public reprimand on the scheme’s website |
| 45 | To suspend the registration status for six months |
| 50 | To terminate all registrations under the scheme (new application will only be accepted after three years) |
Note: The demerit points incurred for a breach of Code of Conduct will be deactivated after three years from the date of the breach.
The Registration Unit would assess the eligibility of applicants for registration, handle doubtful qualifications and complaints on registration results. The Disciplinary Panel would review disciplinary cases, make decisions on demerit points, conduct inquiry if necessary and make recommendations on the appropriate disciplinary actions. Any applicant, complainant or defendant who does not accept the decision made by the Registration Unit on registration matters and Disciplinary Panel on disciplinary cases may submit his or her appeal request using the “Appeal Request Form” or online E-form to the Appeal Board through the Registration Unit for a review of the case, and the Appeal Board’s decision is final. The Disciplinary Panel and Appeal Board each consists of three members from stakeholders of the arboriculture and horticulture industry.