Article 2 of this Order commences various provisions of the Scotland Act 2012 on 31st October 2012. The provisions include those which confer certain functions on the Scottish Ministers in relation to Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (whose operating name is MG Alba) (section 17) and transfer functions of the Secretary of State to the Scottish Ministers in relation to the issuing of licences to doctors who may prescribe controlled drugs to addicts (section 19).

Article 3 of this Order commences section 18 of the Scotland Act 2012 on 1st August 2013. Section 18 amends the Crown Estate Act 1961 to provide that there must be a Crown Estate Commissioner with special responsibility for Scotland, appointed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Chancellor of the Exchequer who must first consult the Scottish Ministers before making that recommendation.