7.—(1) The Energy Information (Household Electric Ovens) Regulations 2003(1) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation)—
(a)omit the definition of “enforcement authority”; and
(b)after the definition of “label”, insert—
““local weights and measures authority” means a local weights and measures authority within the meaning of section 69 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985;”.
(3) After regulation 2 (interpretation), insert—
2A.—(1) In these Regulations the enforcement authority means—
(a)for the purpose of enforcing regulation 11 (dealers’ duty in respect of displayed regulated household electric ovens) and regulation 12 (information in respect of mail order and other distance sales), in relation to England, Wales and Scotland, the local weights and measures authority, and in relation to Northern Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; and
(b)for the purpose of enforcing regulation 6 (placing on the market: technical documentation), regulation 7 (suppliers’ duties in respect of labels), regulation 8 (suppliers’ duties in respect of the information notice), regulation 10 (suppliers’ duties in respect of the accuracy of labels and information notices) and regulation 14 (misleading information), the Secretary of State.
(2) The Secretary of State may appoint any person to act on the Secretary of State’s behalf for the purposes of regulation 2A(1)(b), subject to any limitations or conditions as the Secretary of State sees fit.
(3) Where the Secretary of State appoints a person under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State must publish details—
(a)identifying that person, and
(b)of the extent of the authorisation, including any limitations or conditions,
on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website.”.
(4) After paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 (offences, enforcement and other matters), insert—
2A.—(1) An offence under these Regulations may be tried by summary proceedings if—
(a)in England and Wales, the information is laid,
(b)in Northern Ireland, the complaint is made, or
(c)in Scotland, the proceedings are begun,
before the end of the period of 12 months beginning on the day after the date on which evidence which the enforcement authority thinks is sufficient to justify the proceedings comes to the enforcement authority’s knowledge.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)—
(a)a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence came to the enforcement authority’s knowledge is to be conclusive evidence of that fact; and
(b)a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as so signed unless the contrary is proved.”.