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

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

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

Must hold a valid business registration and have been established for at least 1 year (originally established for 3 years or more, changed to at least 1 year).

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

a) HSBC Living Business (Gold/ Silver/ Bronze Award)

b) 10+ year Caring Company by HKCSS

c) JCI Victoria

- SDG Enterprise Awards – Outstanding Enterprise

- SDG Enterprise Awards – Sustainable Enterprise

 Part 2

a) ERB Manpower Developer Award Scheme

- Grand Prize Award

– Super MD

b) Industry Cares Recognition Scheme by Federation of Hong Kong Industries

c) Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong

- Hong Kong ESG Grand Award

- Hong Kong ESG Award

- Hong Kong ESG Awards: Special Award for SME

d) Hong Kong General Chamber of Small and Medium Business

- Best SME’s Award

- ESG Leading Enterprise Award

e) Hong Kong Sustainability Award by HKMA

f) Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence by Environmental Campaign Committee

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

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

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

3. 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.

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