The registration of contractors under the new minor works control system will start December 30 2009. It is estimated 25,000 individual practitioners and 5,500 small-contractor firms will apply for registration.

      The registration system will allow people to monitor contractors' standard and facilitate building owners' search for qualified contractors to carry out minor works.
      Under the new system minor works will be classified into three classes according to their scale, complexity and safety risk, and will be subject to different degrees of control.
      Minor works practitioners, including corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, or (for Class III minor works only) individuals, can apply for registration as minor work contractors for the classes, types or items of minor works according to their qualifications and experience.

      Depending on the registration progress, the Government will decide when to launch the minor works control system. The current target is to begin operation in the first half of next year.