The Estate Agents Authority (EAA) is a statutory body, established in November 1997 under the Estate Agents Ordinance (EAO). Its principal functions are to regulate the practice of estate agency in Hong Kong, promote integrity and competence within the industry, and facilitate training for estate agency practitioners to enhance their standards and status. The EAA organises qualifying examinations, issues licences to individuals and companies, handles complaints against licensees, conducts compliance inspections and metes out disciplinary sanctions to practitioners who have breached the EAO. The EAA also organises activities for the professional development of the trade and promotion of consumer education.