Powers of entry
19.—(1) An authorised officer may enter any premises at any reasonable hour for the purpose of ensuring that the provisions of these Regulations are being complied with.
(2) The authorised officer may take with them such other persons as they consider necessary.
(3) An authorised officer must not exercise the powers under paragraph (1) or (2) except on the production, if so required, of a duly authenticated document showing their authority.
(4) Admission to any premises used only as a private dwellinghouse may not be demanded as of right unless 24 hours notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier or the entry is in accordance with a warrant granted under this regulation.
(5) If a justice of the peace, on sworn information in writing, is satisfied of the matters mentioned in paragraph (6), they may sign a warrant permitting an authorised officer to enter any premises, if needs be by reasonable force.
(6) The matters are that—
(a)there are reasonable grounds for believing that Condition A or B is met; and
(b)Condition C, D or E is met.
(7) Condition A is that on the premises there are items or products of the type mentioned in regulation 20(1)(a)(i) to (x) or documents or records of the type mentioned in regulation 20(1)(e) and that their inspection is likely to disclose evidence of a contravention of, or failure to comply with, these Regulations.
(8) Condition B is that a contravention of, or failure to comply with, these Regulations has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur on those premises.
(9) Condition C is that admission to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and that the occupier has been informed (whether orally or in writing) that a warrant may be applied for.
(10) Condition D is that admission to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and informing the occupier that a warrant under this regulation may be applied for may defeat the object of the entry.
(11) Condition E is that the premises are unoccupied or that the occupier is temporarily absent and it may defeat the object of the entry to await their return.
(12) A warrant granted under paragraph (5) —
(a)is valid for one month, beginning with the day on which it is granted; and
(b)must be produced for inspection to the person (if there is one) who appears to the officer to be the occupier, or the person in charge, of the premises.
(13) An authorised officer who enters any premises that are unoccupied or where the occupier is temporarily absent must leave the premises as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as when they found them.
(14) In this regulation, a reference to a justice of the peace—
(a)in Scotland includes a reference to a sheriff; and
(b)in Northern Ireland is a reference to a lay magistrate.