Communications Act 2003

403 Regulations and orders made by OFCOM U.K.

(1) This section applies to any power of OFCOM to make regulations or to make an order or scheme if that power is one to which this section is expressly applied.

(2) The powers to which this section applies shall be exercisable by statutory instrument, and the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) is to apply in relation to those powers as if OFCOM were a Minister of the Crown.

(3) Where an instrument made under a power to which this section applies falls to be laid before Parliament, OFCOM must, immediately after it is made, send it to the Secretary of State for laying by him.

(4) Before making any regulations or order under a power to which this section applies, OFCOM must—

(a) give a notice of their proposal to do so to such persons representative of the persons appearing to OFCOM to be likely to be affected by the implementation of the proposal as OFCOM think fit;

(b) publish notice of their proposal in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it and are not given notice by virtue of paragraph (a); and

(c) consider any representations that are made to OFCOM, before the time specified in the notice.

(5) A notice for the purposes of subsection (4) must—

(a) state that OFCOM propose to make the regulations or order in question;

(b) set out the general effect of the regulations or order;

(c) specify an address from which a copy of the proposed regulations or order may be obtained; and

(d) specify a time before which any representations with respect to the proposal must be made to OFCOM.

(6) The time specified for the purposes of subsection (5)(d) must be no earlier than the end of the period of [F1 30 days] beginning with the day after the latest day on which the notice is given or published for the purposes of subsection (4).

(7) Every power of OFCOM to which this section applies includes power—

(a) to make different provision for different cases (including different provision in respect of different areas);

(b) to make provision subject to such exemptions and exceptions as OFCOM think fit; and

(c) to make such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as OFCOM think fit.

(8) The Documentary Evidence Act 1868 (c. 37) (proof of orders and regulations etc.) shall have effect as if—

(a) OFCOM were included in the first column of the Schedule to that Act;

(b) OFCOM and persons authorised to act on their behalf were mentioned in the second column of that Schedule.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 403(6) substituted (21.12.2020) by The Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy (Amendment) (European Electronic Communications Code and EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1419), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 63

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 403 applied by 1998 c. 6, s. 6 (as substituted (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 17 para. 150 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11))

C2 S. 403 applied by 1996 c. 55, s. 104ZA(3) (as inserted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 302(1), 411(2) (with Sch. 18 para. 51(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 11))

C3 S. 403 applied (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5), ss. 63, 93(2), (3); S.I. 2011/2329, art. 3

Commencement Information

I1 S. 403 in force at 25.7.2003 for specified purposes by S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3))

I2 S. 403 in force at 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)