8.—(1) The responsible person must—
(a)take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of any of his employees; and
(b)in relation to relevant persons who are not his employees, take such general fire precautions as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case to ensure that the premises are safe.
9.—(1) The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on him by or under this Order.
(2) Where a dangerous substance is or is liable to be present in or on the premises, the risk assessment must include consideration of the matters set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1.
(3) Any such assessment must be reviewed by the responsible person regularly so as to keep it up to date and particularly if—
(a)there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid; or
(b)there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates including when the premises, special, technical and organisational measures, or organisation of the work undergo significant changes, extensions, or conversions,
and where changes to an assessment are required as a result of any such review, the responsible person must make them.
(4) The responsible person must not employ a young person unless he has, in relation to risks to young persons, made or reviewed an assessment in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (5).
(5) In making or reviewing the assessment, the responsible person who employs or is to employ a young person must take particular account of the matters set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1.
(6) As soon as practicable after the assessment is made or reviewed, the responsible person must [F1make a record of the assessment or review, which must in particular include the information prescribed by paragraph (7).]
(7) The prescribed information is—
(a)the F2... findings of the assessment, including the measures which have been or will be taken by the responsible person pursuant to this Order; and
(b)any group of persons identified by the assessment as being especially at risk.
(8) No new work activity involving a dangerous substance may commence unless—
(a)the risk assessment has been made; and
(b)the measures required by or under this Order have been implemented.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in art. 9(6) substituted (1.10.2023) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(3)(a), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
F2Word in art. 9(7)(a) omitted (1.10.2023) by virtue of Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(3)(b), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
10. Where the responsible person implements any preventive and protective measures he must do so on the basis of the principles specified in Part 3 of Schedule 1.
11.—(1) The responsible person must make and give effect to such arrangements as are appropriate, having regard to the size of his undertaking and the nature of its activities, for the effective planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of the preventive and protective measures.
(2) The responsible person must record the arrangements referred to in paragraph (1). F3...
Textual Amendments
F3Words in art. 11(2) omitted (1.10.2023) by virtue of Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(5), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
12.—(1) Where a dangerous substance is present in or on the premises, the responsible person must ensure that risk to relevant persons related to the presence of the substance is either eliminated or reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.
(2) In complying with his duty under paragraph (1), the responsible person must, so far as is reasonably practicable, replace a dangerous substance, or the use of a dangerous substance, with a substance or process which either eliminates or reduces the risk to relevant persons.
(3) Where it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risk pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), the responsible person must, so far as is reasonably practicable, apply measures consistent with the risk assessment and appropriate to the nature of the activity or operation, including the measures specified in Part 4 of Schedule 1 to this Order to—
(a)control the risk, and
(b)mitigate the detrimental effects of a fire.
(4) The responsible person must—
(a)arrange for the safe handling, storage and transport of dangerous substances and waste containing dangerous substances; and
(b)ensure that any conditions necessary pursuant to this Order for ensuring the elimination or reduction of risk are maintained.
13.—(1) Where necessary (whether due to the features of the premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that—
(a)the premises are, to the extent that it is appropriate, equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors and alarms; and
(b)any non-automatic fire-fighting equipment so provided is easily accessible, simple to use and indicated by signs.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) what is appropriate is to be determined having regard to the dimensions and use of the premises, the equipment contained on the premises, the physical and chemical properties of the substances likely to be present and the maximum number of persons who may be present at any one time.
(3) The responsible person must, where necessary—
(a)take measures for fire-fighting in the premises, adapted to the nature of the activities carried on there and the size of the undertaking and of the premises concerned;
(b)nominate competent persons to implement those measures and ensure that the number of such persons, their training and the equipment available to them are adequate, taking into account the size of, and the specific hazards involved in, the premises concerned; and
(c)arrange any necessary contacts with external emergency services, particularly as regards fire-fighting, rescue work, first-aid and emergency medical care.
(4) A person is to be regarded as competent for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b) where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly to implement the measures referred to in that paragraph.
14.—(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times.
(2) The following requirements must be complied with in respect of premises where necessary (whether due to the features of the premises, the activity carried on there, any hazard present or any other relevant circumstances) in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons—
(a)emergency routes and exits must lead as directly as possible to a place of safety;
(b)in the event of danger, it must be possible for persons to evacuate the premises as quickly and as safely as possible;
(c)the number, distribution and dimensions of emergency routes and exits must be adequate having regard to the use, equipment and dimensions of the premises and the maximum number of persons who may be present there at any one time;
(d)emergency doors must open in the direction of escape;
(e)sliding or revolving doors must not be used for exits specifically intended as emergency exits;
(f)emergency doors must not be so locked or fastened that they cannot be easily and immediately opened by any person who may require to use them in an emergency;
(g)emergency routes and exits must be indicated by signs; and
(h)emergency routes and exits requiring illumination must be provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting.
15.—(1) The responsible person must—
(a)establish and, where necessary, give effect to appropriate procedures, including safety drills, to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to relevant persons;
(b)nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to implement those procedures in so far as they relate to the evacuation of relevant persons from the premises; and
(c)ensure that no relevant person has access to any area to which it is necessary to restrict access on grounds of safety, unless the person concerned has received adequate safety instruction.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1)(a), the procedures referred to in that sub-paragraph must—
(a)so far as is practicable, require any relevant persons who are exposed to serious and imminent danger to be informed of the nature of the hazard and of the steps taken or to be taken to protect them from it;
(b)enable the persons concerned (if necessary by taking appropriate steps in the absence of guidance or instruction and in the light of their knowledge and the technical means at their disposal) to stop work and immediately proceed to a place of safety in the event of their being exposed to serious, imminent and unavoidable danger; and
(c)save in exceptional cases for reasons duly substantiated (which cases and reasons must be specified in those procedures), require the persons concerned to be prevented from resuming work in any situation where there is still a serious and imminent danger.
(3) A person is to be regarded as competent for the purposes of paragraph (1) where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly to implement the evacuation procedures referred to in that paragraph.
16.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4), in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons arising from an accident, incident or emergency related to the presence of a dangerous substance in or on the premises, the responsible person must ensure that—
(a)information on emergency arrangements is available, including—
(i)details of relevant work hazards and hazard identification arrangements; and
(ii)specific hazards likely to arise at the time of an accident, incident or emergency;
(b)suitable warning and other communication systems are established to enable an appropriate response, including remedial actions and rescue operations, to be made immediately when such an event occurs;
(c)where necessary, before any explosion conditions are reached, visual or audible warnings are given and relevant persons withdrawn; and
(d)where the risk assessment indicates it is necessary, escape facilities are provided and maintained to ensure that, in the event of danger, relevant persons can leave endangered places promptly and safely.
(2) Subject to paragraph (4), the responsible person must ensure that the information required by article 15(1)(a) and paragraph (1)(a) of this article, together with information on the matters referred to in paragraph (1)(b) and (d) is—
(a)made available to relevant accident and emergency services to enable those services, whether internal or external to the premises, to prepare their own response procedures and precautionary measures; and
(b)displayed at the premises, unless the results of the risk assessment make this unnecessary.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), in the event of a fire arising from an accident, incident or emergency related to the presence of a dangerous substance in or on the premises, the responsible person must ensure that—
(a)immediate steps are taken to—
(i)mitigate the effects of the fire;
(ii)restore the situation to normal; and
(iii)inform those relevant persons who may be affected; and
(b)only those persons who are essential for the carrying out of repairs and other necessary work are permitted in the affected area and they are provided with—
(i)appropriate personal protective equipment and protective clothing; and
(ii)any necessary specialised safety equipment and plant,
which must be used until the situation is restored to normal.
(4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply where—
(a)the results of the risk assessment show that, because of the quantity of each dangerous substance in or on the premises, there is only a slight risk to relevant persons; and
(b)the measures taken by the responsible person to comply with his duty under article 12 are sufficient to control that risk.
17.—(1) Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons the responsible person must ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided in respect of the premises under this Order or, subject to paragraph (6), under any other enactment, including any enactment repealed or revoked by this Order, are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
(2) Where the premises form part of a building, the responsible person may make arrangements with the occupier of any other premises forming part of the building for the purpose of ensuring that the requirements of paragraph (1) are met.
(3) Paragraph (2) applies even if the other premises are not premises to which this Order applies.
(4) The occupier of the other premises must co-operate with the responsible person for the purposes of paragraph (2).
(5) Where the occupier of the other premises is not also the owner of those premises, the references to the occupier in paragraphs (2) and (4) are to be taken to be references to both the occupier and the owner.
(6) Paragraph (1) only applies to facilities, equipment and devices provided under other enactments where they are provided in connection with general fire precautions.
18.—(1) The responsible person must, subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), appoint one or more competent persons to assist him in undertaking the preventive and protective measures.
(2) Where the responsible person appoints persons in accordance with paragraph (1), he must make arrangements for ensuring adequate co-operation between them.
(3) The responsible person must ensure that the number of persons appointed under paragraph (1), the time available for them to fulfil their functions and the means at their disposal are adequate having regard to the size of the premises, the risks to which relevant persons are exposed and the distribution of those risks throughout the premises.
(4) The responsible person must ensure that—
(a)any person appointed by him in accordance with paragraph (1) who is not in his employment—
(i)is informed of the factors known by him to affect, or suspected by him of affecting, the safety of any other person who may be affected by the conduct of his undertaking; and
(ii)has access to the information referred to in article 19(3); and
(b)any person appointed by him in accordance with paragraph (1) is given such information about any person working in his undertaking who is—
(i)employed by him under a fixed-term contract of employment, or
(ii)employed in an employment business,
as is necessary to enable that person properly to carry out the function specified in that paragraph.
(5) A person is to be regarded as competent for the purposes of this article where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable him properly to assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures.
(6) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a self-employed employer who is not in partnership with any other person, where he has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities properly to assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures.
(7) Paragraph (1) does not apply to individuals who are employers and who are together carrying on business in partnership, where at least one of the individuals concerned has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities—
(a)properly to undertake the preventive and protective measures; and
(b)properly to assist his fellow partners in undertaking those measures.
(8) Where there is a competent person in the responsible person's employment, that person must be appointed for the purposes of paragraph (1) in preference to a competent person not in his employment.
19.—(1) The responsible person must provide his employees with comprehensible and relevant information on—
(a)the risks to them identified by the risk assessment;
(b)the preventive and protective measures;
(c)the procedures and the measures referred to in article 15(1)(a);
(d)the identities of those persons nominated by him in accordance with article 13(3)(b) or appointed in accordance with article 15(1)(b) ; and
(e)the risks notified to him in accordance with article 22(1)(c).
(2) The responsible person must, before employing a child, provide a parent of the child with comprehensible and relevant information on—
(a)the risks to that child identified by the risk assessment;
(b)the preventive and protective measures; and
(c)the risks notified to him in accordance with article 22(1)(c),
and for the purposes of this paragraph, “parent of the child” includes a person who has parental responsibility, within the meaning of section 3 of the Children Act 1989 M1, for the child.
(3) Where a dangerous substance is present in or on the premises, the responsible person must, in addition to the information provided under paragraph (1) provide his employees with —
(a)the details of any such substance including—
(i)the name of the substance and the risk which it presents;
(ii)access to any relevant safety data sheet; and
(iii)legislative provisions (concerning the hazardous properties of any such substance) which apply to the substance; and
(b)the significant findings of the risk assessment.
(4) The information required by paragraph (3) must be—
(a)adapted to take account of significant changes in the activity carried out or methods or work used by the responsible person; and
(b)provided in a manner appropriate to the risk identified by the risk assessment.
Marginal Citations
20.—(1) The responsible person must ensure that the employer of any employees from an outside undertaking who are working in or on the premises is provided with comprehensible and relevant information on—
(a)the risks to those employees; and
(b)the preventive and protective measures taken by the responsible person.
(2) The responsible person must ensure that any person working in his undertaking who is not his employee is provided with appropriate instructions and comprehensible and relevant information regarding any risks to that person.
(3) The responsible person must—
(a)ensure that the employer of any employees from an outside undertaking who are working in or on the premises is provided with sufficient information to enable that employer to identify any person nominated by the responsible person in accordance with article 15 (1)(b) to implement evacuation procedures as far as those employees are concerned; and
(b)take all reasonable steps to ensure that any person from an outside undertaking who is working in or on the premises receives sufficient information to enable that person to identify any person nominated by the responsible person in accordance with article 15 (1)(b) to implement evacuation procedures as far as they are concerned.
21.—(1) The responsible person must ensure that his employees are provided with adequate safety training—
(a)at the time when they are first employed; and
(b)on their being exposed to new or increased risks because of—
(i)their being transferred or given a change of responsibilities within the responsible person's undertaking;
(ii)the introduction of new work equipment into, or a change respecting work equipment already in use within, the responsible person's undertaking;
(iii)the introduction of new technology into the responsible person's undertaking; or
(iv)the introduction of a new system of work into, or a change respecting a system of work already in use within, the responsible person's undertaking.
(2) The training referred to in paragraph (1) must—
(a)include suitable and sufficient instruction and training on the appropriate precautions and actions to be taken by the employee in order to safeguard himself and other relevant persons on the premises;
(b)be repeated periodically where appropriate;
(c)be adapted to take account of any new or changed risks to the safety of the employees concerned;
(d)be provided in a manner appropriate to the risk identified by the risk assessment; and
(e)take place during working hours.
21A.—(1) This article applies in relation to a building containing two or more sets of domestic premises.
(2) The responsible person must give residents of the domestic premises comprehensible and relevant information about the relevant fire safety matters.
(3) The relevant fire safety matters are—
(a)the risks to residents of the domestic premises identified by the risk assessment;
(b)the preventive and protective measures;
(c)the name of the responsible person and an address in the United Kingdom at which the responsible person, or someone acting on their behalf, will accept notices and other documents;
(d)the identity of any person appointed by the responsible person to assist them with making or reviewing an assessment under article 9;
(e)the identity of any persons nominated by the responsible person under article 13(3)(b);
(f)any risks of which the responsible person has been informed under article 22(1)(c);
(g)any other matters specified in regulations made by the relevant authority.
(4) The information is to be provided at such times, and in such form, as may be specified in regulations made by the relevant authority.
(5) The responsible person must keep records of the relevant fire safety matters.
(6) The “relevant authority”—
(a)in relation to premises in England, means the Secretary of State;
(b)in relation to premises in Wales, means the Welsh Ministers.
(7) Regulations under this article are to be made by statutory instrument.
(8) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Secretary of State under this article is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(9) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under this article is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of Senedd Cymru.]
Textual Amendments
F4Art. 21A inserted (1.10.2023) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(6), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
22.—[F6(A1) A person who is a responsible person in relation to any premises must take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ascertain whether any other responsible person shares, or has duties in respect of, the premises.]
(1) Where two or more responsible persons share, or have duties in respect of, premises (whether on a temporary or a permanent basis) each such person must—
[F7(za)inform the other responsible persons concerned of that person’s name and an address in the United Kingdom at which that person, or someone acting on their behalf, will accept notices and other documents;
(zb)inform the other responsible persons concerned of the part of the premises for which that person considers themselves to be a responsible person, and keep a record of that information;]
(a)co-operate with the other responsible person concerned so far as is necessary to enable them to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on them by or under this Order;
(b)(taking into account the nature of his activities) take all reasonable steps to co-ordinate the measures he takes to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on him by or under this Order with the measures the other responsible persons are taking to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on them by or under this Order; and
(c)take all reasonable steps to inform the other responsible persons concerned of the risks to relevant persons arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking.
(2) Where two or more responsible persons share premises (whether on a temporary or a permanent basis) where an explosive atmosphere may occur, the responsible person who has overall responsibility for the premises must co-ordinate the implementation of all the measures required by this Part to be taken to protect relevant persons from any risk from the explosive atmosphere.
Textual Amendments
F5Words in art. 22 heading inserted (1.10.2023) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(7)(a), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
F6Art. 22(A1) inserted (1.10.2023) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(7)(b), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
F7Art. 22(1)(za)(zb) inserted (1.10.2023) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(7)(c), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
22A.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a person (the “outgoing person”) ceases to be a responsible person for premises and another person (the “new responsible person”) becomes a responsible person for the premises in place of the outgoing person.
(2) The outgoing person must give the new responsible person any relevant fire safety information held by the outgoing person.
(3) “Relevant fire safety information” means—
(a)records kept under article 9(6) of assessments and reviews under article 9;
(b)the identity of any person appointed by the responsible person to assist them with making or reviewing an assessment under article 9;
(c)the name of any other person who is a responsible person in relation to the premises and an address in the United Kingdom at which that person, or someone acting on their behalf, will accept notices and other documents (where known);
(d)where the premises consist of or include a higher-risk building, the identity of any other person who is an accountable person in relation to the premises (where known);
(e)any information given under regulation 38 of the Building Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/2214) (fire safety information);
[F9(ea)any information given under regulation 38 or 39 of the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 (fire safety information);]
(f)any other matters specified in regulations made by the relevant authority.
(4) The information is to be provided at such times, and in such form, as may be specified in regulations made by the relevant authority.
(5) A responsible person must keep records of relevant fire safety information.
(6) In this article—
“accountable person” has the meaning given by section 72 of the Building Safety Act 2022;
“higher-risk building” has the meaning given by section 65 of that Act;
“relevant authority”—
in relation to premises in England, means the Secretary of State;
in relation to premises in Wales, means the Welsh Ministers.
(7) Regulations under this article are to be made by statutory instrument.
(8) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Secretary of State under this article is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(9) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under this article is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of Senedd Cymru.]
Textual Amendments
F8Arts. 22A, 22B inserted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W., 1.10.2023 for W. in relation to art. 22A) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(8), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
F9Art. 22A(3)(ea) inserted (1.10.2023) by The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/909), regs. 1(1), 63 (with Sch. 3 Pt. 1)
22B.—(1) This article applies in relation to premises which consist of or include a residential unit in a higher-risk building.
(2) The responsible person (“P”) must take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ascertain whether there are one or more other persons who are accountable persons in relation to the premises.
(3) If there are, P must co-operate with each accountable person for the purpose of the accountable person carrying out their duties under the Building Safety Act 2022.
(4) In this article—
“accountable person” has the meaning given by section 72 of the Building Safety Act 2022;
“higher-risk building” has the meaning given by section 65 of that Act;
“residential unit” has the meaning given by section 115 of that Act.]
Textual Amendments
F8Arts. 22A, 22B inserted (1.10.2023 except in relation to W., 1.10.2023 for W. in relation to art. 22A) by Building Safety Act 2022 (c. 30), ss. 156(8), 170(4)(b)(c); S.I. 2023/362, reg. 4; S.I. 2023/914, reg. 3
23.—(1) Every employee must, while at work—
(a)take reasonable care for the safety of himself and of other relevant persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work;
(b)as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer by or under any provision of this Order, co-operate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with; and
(c)inform his employer or any other employee with specific responsibility for the safety of his fellow employees—
(i)of any work situation which a person with the first-mentioned employee's training and instruction would reasonably consider represented a serious and immediate danger to safety; and
(ii)of any matter which a person with the first-mentioned employee's training and instruction would reasonably consider represented a shortcoming in the employer's protection arrangements for safety,
in so far as that situation or matter either affects the safety of that first-mentioned employee or arises out of or in connection with his own activities at work, and has not previously been reported to his employer or to any other employee of that employer in accordance with this sub-paragraph.
24.—(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the precautions which are to be taken or observed in relation to the risk to relevant persons as regards premises in relation to which this Order applies.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), regulations made by the Secretary of State may impose requirements—
(a)as to the provision, maintenance and keeping free from obstruction of any means of escape in case of fire;
(b)as to the provision and maintenance of means for securing that any means of escape can be safely and effectively used at all material times;
(c)as to the provision and maintenance of means for fighting fire and means for giving warning in case of fire;
(d)as to the internal construction of the premises and the materials used in that construction;
(e)for prohibiting altogether the presence or use in the premises of furniture or equipment of any specified description, or prohibiting its presence or use unless specified standards or conditions are complied with;
(f)for securing that persons employed to work in the premises receive appropriate instruction or training in what to do in case of fire;
(g)for securing that, in specified circumstances, specified numbers of attendants are stationed in specified parts of the premises; and
(h)as to the keeping of records of instruction or training given, or other things done, in pursuance of the regulations.
(3) Regulations under this article—
(a)may impose requirements on persons other than the responsible person; and
(b)may, as regards any of their provisions, make provision as to the person or persons who is or are to be responsible for any contravention of that provision.
(4) The Secretary of State must, before making any regulations under this article, consult with such persons or bodies of persons as appear to him to be appropriate.
(5) The power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this article—
(a)is exercisable by statutory instrument, which is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament;
(b)includes power to make different provision in relation to different circumstances; and
(c)includes power to grant or provide for the granting of exemptions from any of the provisions of the regulations, either unconditionally or subject to conditions.