The Organic Products Regulations 2009

Powers following entry

24.—(1) An authorised officer entering premises under regulation 23 may—

(a) inspect any documents or records (in whatever form they are held) relating to a business dealing with any organic product; and

(b) seize and detain any such records which the officer has reason to believe may be required as evidence in any proceedings under these Regulations.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), an authorised officer may—

(a) have access to, inspect and check the operation of any computer and any associated apparatus or material which is or has been in use in connection with the records;

(b) require any person having charge of, or otherwise concerned with the operation of, any such computer, apparatus or material to give the officer such assistance as may reasonably be required;

(c) where the records are kept by means of a computer, require them to be produced in a form in which they may be taken away.

(3) If it is decided that records seized and detained under paragraph (1)(b) are no longer needed as evidence in proceedings under these Regulations, an authorised officer must return them as soon as reasonably practicable after that decision.

(4) In this regulation, “business” includes any undertaking whether it operates for profit or not and any undertaking or activity carried on by a public authority, including a local authority.