Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Transitional defences

21.—(1) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of these Regulations before 1st January 1999, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the goods were classified, packaged and labelled for carriage prior to 1st July 1996 in accordance with the 1993 Regulations, and that—

(a) the goods have not been removed from their package or receptacle since they were packaged;

(b) the label has not been altered or removed since the goods were packaged; and

(c) it was not reasonably practicable either—

(i) to repackage and re-label the goods before they were consigned for carriage; or

(ii) to consign the goods for carriage on a date earlier than they were in fact consigned.

(2) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of these Regulations on or after 1st November 1997 and before 1st January 1999, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the goods were classified, packaged and labelled for carriage prior to 1st November 1997in accordance with the 1995 Regulations as in operation immediately before the commencment of these Regulations and that the requirements specified in paragraph (1)(a) to (c) are satisfied, in relation to those goods.

(3) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of these Regulations before 1st November 1997 it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the goods were classified, packaged and labelled in accordance with the 1995 Regulations as in operation immediately before the commencement of these Regulations.

(4) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of regulation 6(1)(e) in relation to the consignment of goods for carriage in metallic intermediate bulk containers or stainless steel or aluminium drums it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the containers, or drums, whichever is the case, were manufactured less than 15 years prior to the date of consignment of the goods and before 1st July 1996.

(5) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of regulation 6(1)(e) before 1st January 1999, in relation to the consignment of goods for carriage in plastic packagings or metal packagings other than those specified in paragraph (6), it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the packagings were manufactured less than 5 years prior to the date of consignment of the goods and before 1st July 1996.

(6) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of regulation 8(1) in relation to the consignment of goods for carriage in transportable pressure receptacles, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the packages were labelled for carriage before 1st July 1996 in accordance with the 1993 Regulations and that the label has not been altered since then.

(7) In any proceedings for an offence consisting of a contravention of regulation 8(1), on or after 1st November 1997, in relation to the consignment of goods for carriage in transportable pressure receptacles, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the packages were labelled for carriage prior to 1st November 1997 in accordance with the 1995 Regulations as in operation immediately before the commencement of these Regulations and the label has not been altered since then.