Consumer Rights Act 2015

Power to break open container etc

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

31(1)The officer may, for the purpose of exercising any of the powers in paragraphs 28 to 30, require a person with authority to do so toβ€”

(a)break open any container,

(b)open any vending machine, or

(c)access any electronic device in which information may be stored or from which it may be accessed.

(2)Where a requirement under sub-paragraph (1) has not been complied with, the officer may, for the purpose of exercising any of the powers in paragraphs 28 to 30β€”

(a)break open the container,

(b)open the vending machine, or

(c)access the electronic device.

(3)Sub-paragraph (1) or (2) applies if and to the extent that the exercise of the power in that sub-paragraph is reasonably necessary for the purposes for which that power may be exercised.

(4)In this paragraph β€œcontainer” means anything in which goods may be stored.