The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013

Enforcement powers

14.—(1) The Administrator may exercise any of the powers in paragraph (2) for the purposes of enforcement.

(2) The powers are—

(a) to make test purchases of goods for the purposes of ascertaining whether these Regulations are being complied with;

(b) to inspect any goods and to enter any premises at any reasonable time (other than domestic premises) for the purposes of ascertaining whether these Regulations are being complied with;

(c) if the Administrator reasonably believes that there has been a failure to comply with a requirement of these Regulations—

(i) to question a seller or an officer or employee of a seller;

(ii) to require the production of documents or the provision of information.

(3) In this regulation “domestic premises” means premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling.

(4) The Administrator seeking to exercise a power under paragraph (2)(b) or (c) shall produce evidence of identity and authority if requested by a person who is, or appears to be—

(a) the seller, or an officer or employee of the seller;

(b) an owner or occupier of any premises in respect of which the Administrator seeks to exercise the power concerned.

(5) Nothing in paragraph (2)(c)(ii) shall compel production of any document in respect of which a person would on grounds of legal professional privilege be entitled to withhold production on an order for discovery in an action in the County Court or High Court.