Different standards and specifications may be imposed by the Agency for the purposes of paragraph (1) in relation to different categories of vessels and in relation to different parts of the waterways.

Any such standard or specification imposed by the Agency may include requirements as to the maintenance, use and operation of appliances, fittings and equipment on a vessel and may extend to anything which is only temporarily installed or used on a vessel.

An owner or master of a vessel to which any standard or specification imposed under paragraph (1) applies must not keep, let for hire or use the vessel on the waterways otherwise than in accordance with that standard or specification.

The requirements of paragraph (1) and (4) do not apply in relation to a vessel to the extent that the vessel is exempted by the Agency from those requirements.

The Agency may exempt any vessel or class of vessel from the requirements of paragraph (1) and (4) to such extent and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine if, having regard to all the circumstances, it considers that the application of those requirements is not justified by reference to the purposes listed in the paragraph.

When exercising power under this article, the Agency must have regard to reasonable standards and specifications imposed by other persons for the purposes specified in paragraph (1) and to the desirability of achieving common standards in relation to the regulation of vessels by different persons.