S.L. 549.94 Art. 5Inspections.

(1) An officer authorised by the competent authority shall have the power to, at all reasonable times, for the purposes of carrying out his functions under these regulations and upon production of identification:

(a) to enter into premises after giving prior notice: Provided that the requirement to give prior notice does not apply in cases when efforts to arrange an appointment have failed, or when such notice would defeat the purpose of the entry, or where there is reasonable suspicion that an offence against these regulations has been committed;

(b) stop and, or board any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other means of transport that the officer has reasonable grounds to believe is transporting timber;

(c) inspect the premises, any plant, machinery or equipment, containers and timber found on the premises;

(d) have access to, examine and copy any documentation, records or other information to which these regulations may apply, in whatever form they are held, and remove them to enable them to be copied or require computer records to be produced in a form in which they may be easily accessed and taken away by the officer;

(e) take samples of any timber;

(f) carry out any examination, investigation or test; and

(g) take photographs, measurements or recordings.

(2) An operator shall provide all reasonable assistance to any authorised officer acting in terms of sub-regulation (1) and in particular shall:

(a) produce for inspection such document or record as may be required by such authorised officer;

(b) make available for examination any timber as may be required.