ArchSD Sustainability Report 2007 - Verification Statement

Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) was commissioned by Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to undertake an independent verification for its Sustainability Report 2007 (the Report). The Report was prepared according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3 Guidelines and the Sector Supplement for Public Agencies, as well as to meet the Application Level A+ criteria.

HKQAA's verification was performed in August 2007. The objective of the verification was to provide independent opinions on the conformance of the Report to the GRI G3 criteria for the A+ Application Level, as well as the materiality, completeness, and accuracy of the information presented in the Report. The verification also aimed to assess the data management systems for collection and consolidation of data for the Report.

HKQAA's verification was limited to the information presented in the Report with respect to ArchSD's environmental, social and economic and health and safety performances.

HKQAA's verification was designed to gather evidence on which to base the conclusions. The verification process comprised an interview with top management, a review of the report, selection of representative sample of statements and the core performance indicators defined in the GRI G3 guidelines and the Sector Supplement for Public Agencies, and verification of selected statements and indicators.

The sample verifications were conducted through interviews with the responsible ArchSD employees and review of the supporting documents, records, data along with the methodologies used. The verification was carried out at ArchSD head office and its APB Centre.

Based on the scope of the verification and the information and data available for review during the verification process, objective evidences were found to support the following conclusions.

The Report included all required GRI G3 contents and performance indicators which were relevant to the ArchSD's operation. Explanatory note was provided for reason where the information of indicator was not presented in the Report. In the opinion of HKQAA, the Report framework generally met the GRI G3 Application Level A criteria and thereby the self-declaration of the GRI G3 Application level was appropriate.

The Report demonstrated ArchSD's vision and strategy to manage its sustainability issues. Main stakeholders were engaged in its business operation. The Report summarized ArchSD's policy, long term objectives, targets and achievements on the social, environmental and economic challenges.

The Report provided a comprehensive and balanced overview of ArchSD's performance with respect to its core activities. The Report fairly and honestly presented ArchSD's commitments, objectives, targets, programs, performances and achievements for its major social, environmental, economic and health and safety managements.

The selected statements and the core GRI indicators were checked and assessed and they were consistent with the supporting materials examined by HKQAA. Based on the information provided for the verification, it was our opinion that ArchSD had a well-established internal reporting and review system which ensured a reasonable level of accuracy and reliability for the information presented in the Report.

For future report, ArchSD is encouraged to continue to adopt the GRI G3 Guidelines for sustainability reporting. In particular, we recommend ArchSD to consider to disclose further information on the stakeholders' expectations arising from their engagements and to enhance the data collection mechanism to report all recommended GRI indicators.

[janelin.gif]		[conniesham.gif]
Jane Lin Lead Verifier		Connie Sham Manager, Strategic Business
Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency		Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency