(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations amend the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, S.R. 1996 No. 247 (“the principal Regulations”), which implement as respects Northern Ireland the European Parliament and the Council Directive No. 94/9/EC (OJ No. L100, 19.4.94, p. 1) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The Regulations provide for the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland to assume the functions previously exercised by the Department of Economic Development under the principal Regulations.