(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe general specifications for the construction of equipment to which section 11 above applies and, subject to subsection (4) below, while any such specification is for the time being so prescribed no equipment which does not conform with it shall be passed or stamped by an inspector [F1or approved verifier]under that section unless it is of a pattern in respect of which a certificate of approval under section 12 above is in force.
(2)If the Secretary of State is satisfied that any pattern submitted to him under section 12(1) above conforms with any general specification for the time being prescribed under this section he may, instead of issuing a certificate of approval under that section, cause to be published a declaration to that effect together with particulars of that pattern.
(3)Where a specification prescribed by regulations under this section is varied or revoked by further regulations under this section, then if any person—
(a)uses for trade any equipment which conformed with that specification but which to his knowledge no longer conforms with any specification prescribed by regulations under this section,
(b)has any such equipment in his possession for use for trade,
(c)causes or permits any other person to use any such equipment for trade, or
(d)disposes of any such equipment to any other person in a state in which it could be used for trade without informing that other person that it no longer conforms with any specification prescribed by regulations under this section,
he shall be guilty of an offence and the equipment shall be liable to be forfeited.
(4)Where, in the case of any particular equipment, the Secretary of State is of opinion that there are special circumstances which make it impracticable or unnecessary for that equipment to comply with any particular requirement of any specification prescribed under this section, the Secretary of State may exempt that equipment from that requirement subject to compliance with such conditions, if any, as he thinks fit.
(5)If any person knowingly contravenes any condition imposed with respect to any equipment by virtue of subsection (4) above, he shall be guilty of an offence and the equipment shall be liable to be forfeited.
(6)If any difference arises between an inspector and any other person as to the interpretation of any specification prescribed under this section, or as to whether or not any equipment conforms with such a specification, that difference may with the consent of that other person, and shall at the request of that other person, be referred to the Secretary of State, whose decision shall be final.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 14(1) inserted (29.3.1999) by S.I. 1999/503, art. 2(8)