The Hygiene Charter is a community initiative that aims at encourage individuals and different business and industry sectors to pledge their commitment to take hygiene to new levels. The Hygiene Charter is part of Operation UNITE's action oriented campaign to draw the community together to fight against the challenges posed by Severs Acute Respiratory Syndroms (SARS).

This initiative demonstrates the contribution of the people of Hong Kong to take positive action, increase awareness of hygiene and also creates a new culture of hygiene practices for the future of Hong Kong. The Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, the Chinese University of Hong Kong has been invited to develop the Charter. The Charter was developed in consultation with a working group comprising faculty staff with expertise in different areas with the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Although the Hygiene Charter has laid down the guidelines on hygiene practice, it is important to develop community programmes for the public to equip themselves with the skills in maintaining good standard of hygiene and advancement of health education knowledge. Effective public health practice needs to involve the community at large and encourage people to be involved in all decision-making processes relating to health. To continue the effort to lead the hygiene of Hong Kong to a new level, Operation UNITE commissioned The Centre for Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health of the Chinese University of Hong Kong to launch a community health education programme to further reinforce and sustain the good standard of hygiene in Hong Kong.