Who Can Join

Full Member (Invitation only)

To qualify as a FULL member of the SME Sustainability Society (SMESS), your firm must meet the following criteria:

1. Comply with the current definition of "Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)" by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

1.1  Manufacturing firms which employ fewer than 100 persons in Hong Kong; or

1.2  Non-manufacturing firms (including firms engaged in construction, mining, quarrying, electricity and gas, import and export, wholesaling, retailing, catering, hotel, transport, warehouse, insurance, real estate, business service, community, social and personal service) which employ fewer than 50 persons in Hong Kong.

2. Must have a valid business registration with more than 3 years’ operation.

Full Member Eligibility

1) Has previously received any award or recognition from Part 1 below

2) Has received an award or recognition from Part 2 below, and has also completed the "Hong Kong SME Business Sustainability Index" (HKSMEBSI) assessment questionnaire organized by the Centre for Business Sustainability (CBS) at the CUHK Business School and met the minimum score requirement;

3) Promoted from Affiliate Member to Full Member after review and approval by the Board of Directors.

Part 1

HSBC Living Business (Gold/ Silver/ Bronze Award)

滙豐營商新動力獎(金/銀/銅獎)

10+ year Caring Company by HKCSS

香港社會服務聯會 - 10+年商界展關懷

Part 2

Industry Cares Recognition Scheme by FHKI

工總-工業獻愛心獎

Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award by The Mirror Post

鏡報 - 傑出企業社會責任獎

Hong Kong ICT Awards

香港資訊及通訊科技獎

Hong Kong Sustainability Award by HKMA

香港管理專業協會 - 香港可持續發展獎

The Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence by Environmental Campaign

環境運動委員會 - 香港環境卓越大獎

Companies that have not submitted the assessment questionnaire or do not meet the minimum score requirement will first become Affiliate Members until reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors to become Full Members.

Affiliate Member Eligibility

1) Has received an award or recognition from Part 2 above, but has not submitted the HKSMEBSI assessment questionnaire or has not met the minimum score requirement;

Or

2) Actively engaged in ESG and CSR activities, and recommended by at least one of the directors.

The applicant will be required to provide proof of the company's corporate social responsibility or sustainability practices to demonstrate that the company has taken measures to fulfill their responsibilities or actively contribute to social and environmental sustainability. The director(s) who choose(s) to recommend the joining of the company is/are required to share the reasons behind the recommendation. The joining of any company must be unanimously approved by the current Board of Directors.

Membership Rights

Full Members and Affiliate members shall enjoy all the member benefits provided by the SMESS. 

1. Members shall receive regular copies of the publications, circulars, schemes or programs by the SMESS from time to time.

2. Full Members shall have full voting rights at the Annual General Meeting and shall be allowed to nominate their representatives or other members to stand for election at the Annual General Meeting.

3. Full Members shall be allowed to participate in all sub-committees either by invitation or voluntary participation.

Membership Fee 

NOTE

1. Membership year: From 1 April each year to 31 March of the following year

2. For members who join between April 1 and September 30, the Annual Membership Fee will be calculated for one year. For those who join between October 1 and March 31 of the following year, the Membership Fee will be calculated for half a year.

3. If the SMESS issues a membership fee invoice and the member fails to pay the fee within 30 days of the invoice date, that membership will be deemed invalid unless the member has valid reasons that satisfy the Board of Directors of the SMESS for the delayed payment.

4. If a member fails to participate in the HKSMEBSI for three consecutive rounds (i.e., 6 years), the membership of such member will be deemed invalid, regardless of the payment.

5. The Centre for Business Sustainability has the final decision-making authority to approve applications for joining the HKSMEBSI.

6. All membership applications must be approved by the Board of Directors of the SMESS. If a membership application is not accepted, the Membership Fee (if paid) will be refunded to the applicant. The SMESS reserves the final decision-making right.

To Apply for Full Member (by invitation only):

1. Online Application

2. Submission of application documents as required

To Apply for Affiliate Member:

1. Online Application

2. Submission of application documents as required

Please fill in the application form and submit below information

i. Hong Kong Business Registration copy

ii. Company Name card

iii. Company CSR/ESG profile

Membership Fee

Payment Method

Send the cheque (Payable: SME Sustainability Society Limited) by post to the SMESS office at:

Room 1601, 16/F, Silvercord Tower 1, No. 30 Canton Rd, TST, Kowloon