ISO Certification with TVP

ISO Certification with TVP

Up to $600,000 of Hong Kong Government's Technology Voucher Programme (TVP)

- Applicable to some of ISO Management System Certification Services Provided by DQS

Launched in November 2016, TVP aims to support local enterprises / organisations in using technological services and solutions to improve productivity, or upgrade or transform their business processes. The program was revised was revised in late February 2018, expanding the eligibility requirements for enterprises. With effective of February 27, 2019, the program has been optimized.

As announced in the 2020-2021 Budget, the Hong Kong Government will further optimize the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP), starts from 1 April 2020.

Enterprises and organisations in Hong Kong could have the opportunity to receive funding from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), to increase productivity or upgrade by utilizing Technology Services. Among the projects funded includes the following ISO international standard management system certifications provided by DQS (**):

Certification which are eligible to the application of the Technology Voucher Programme (TVP)

• ISO 27001 Information security management system Certification (ISMS)
  - Recent information security incidents have made organizations to realize the importance of information security management system to their long-term operations.
  - More and more customers require their service subcontractors to obtain information security management system certification
  - Helps the enterprises to address GDPR compliance risks
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification (EMS)
  - Implementing an environmental management system can reduce the risk of compliance with the environmental regulations, improve the corporate image, present social responsibility, and gain the trust of customers.
• ISO 50001 Energy management System Certification (EnMS)
  - The implementation of the energy management system can improve the energy efficiency, reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, reduce the operation cost, and improve the sustainability of an organization.

** Reference: Page 20 of the "Technology Voucher Programme (TVP) - Guidance Notes for Applications" issued by the Government. (This guide may not be the latest version)

Eligibility

According to the budget, the enhancement measures for the Technology Voucher Programme was effective with April 1, 2020 are as follows:

• The funding ceiling per applicant will be increased from $400,000 to $600,000;
• The Government’s funding ratio for each project under the programme will be raised from two-thirds to three-quarters;
• The maximum number of approved projects will be increased from four to six;

Since 27 February 2019, the following enhancement measures have been implemented:

• Expanding the list of typical technological services and solutions in Annex B of the Guidance Notes for Applications;
• Simplifying the application procedures by:
    - Waiving the requirement for applicants to submit the quotation invitation documents issued to service providers in their applications, and waiving the requirement for applicants to certify the supporting documents (i.e. to sign by an authorised person of the applicant and affix the company chop) for submission in applications;
    - Waiving the requirement for obtaining prior approval from the Innovation and Technology Commission for early project completion and project extension for no more than six months;
• Clarifying the definition:
    - "Readily available items" are as those that can be procured “off-the-shelf” and installed / used directly by the applicant enterprises;
    - "Off-the-shelf": while software systems that require compilation/integration by service providers at the request of the applicants (as long as they are not readily available “off-the-shelf”).

Documents prepare for application

• Copy of the Business Registration
• Copy of Form 1(a)/ 1(c) of the Business Registration Office or the latest Annual Return of the Companies Registry (Form NAR1) of the applicant
• Copies of the documentary evidence proving that the applicant has substantive business operations in Hong Kong which is related to the project under application at the time of application. For example, invoices/receipts or commercial contracts issued within three months before submitting application, the latest audited account, profits tax returns and taxation assessment issued by the Inland Revenue Department
• Copy of the valid Hong Kong Identity Card or passport of the person signing the application form for and on behalf of the applicant
• Copies of all signed probity and non-collusive quotation/tendering certificate(s) as stipulated in paragraph 12 of the Guidance Notes for Applications
• Copies of the quotation(s) submitted by the bidder(s) showing their detailed contact information (including address, telephone number and/or email address). 

How to apply

Eligible enterprises or organizations can submit an application through the Technology Voucher Programme Funding Administrative System, and then request quotations from their relevant certification bodies. Successful applicant required to complete the relevant project within 12 months and submit the final project report to  obtain funding.

The information above is for reference only, and is not guaranteed to be the most up-to-date and accurate. Before you make a decision, please check out the Government official website for the latest information.

Contact DQS

If you have any questions about certification or the consulting process, please contact us.