The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996

Application of Schedule 14

15.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, Schedule 14 shall have effect for the purposes of providing for the enforcement of these Regulations and for matters incidental thereto.

(2) Except in the case of equipment, a protective system or device which, in the opinion of the enforcement authority, is not safe, where the enforcement authority has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the CE marking has not been correctly affixed to equipment, a protective system or device, as the case may be, it may give notice in writing to the responsible person who placed that equipment, protective system or device, on the market and, subject to paragraph (3) below, no action pursuant to Schedule 14 may be taken, and no proceedings may be brought pursuant to regulation 16 below, in respect of that equipment, protective system or device, as the case may be, until such notice has been given and the person to whom it is given has failed to comply with its requirements.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) above, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the CE marking has been correctly affixed, action may be taken pursuant to section 20 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974(1) as it is applied by Schedule 14.

(4) Notice which is given under paragraph (2) above shall—

(a)state that the enforcement authority suspects that the CE marking has not been correctly affixed to the equipment, protective system or device, as the case may be;

(b)specify the respect in which it is so suspected and give particulars thereof;

(c)require the person to whom the notice is given—

(i)to secure that any equipment, protective system or device, as the case may be, to which the notice relates conforms as regards the provisions concerning the correct affixation of the CE marking within such period as may be specified in the notice; or

(ii)to provide evidence within that period, to the satisfaction of the enforcement authority, that the CE marking has been correctly affixed; and

(d)warn that person that if the non-conformity continues after (or if satisfactory evidence has not been provided within) the period specified in the notice, further action may be taken under the Regulations in respect of that equipment, protective system or device, as the case may be, or any equipment, protective system or device of the same type placed on the market by that person.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, the CE marking is correctly affixed to equipment, a protective system or device, as the case may be, if—

(a)it has been affixed in accordance with regulation 6(2)(c) above; and

(b)the appropriate conformity assessment procedure has been carried out in respect of that equipment, protective system or device in accordance with regulation 6(2)(b) above.