S.L. 156.2 Art. 17Functions of the competent authority.

(1) The functions of the competent authority shall include:

(a) assessing and accepting reports on major hazards, assessing design notifications, and assessing notifications of well operations or combined operations, and other similar documents that are submitted to it;

(b) overseeing compliance by operators and owners with these regulations;

(c) advising other authorities or bodies, including the Licensing Authority;

(d) making annual plans pursuant to securing compliance with the regulatory framework for major accident prevention;

(e) producing reports in pursuance to its functions;

(f) cooperating with the competent authorities or contact points pursuant to regulation 44; and

(g) any other function as may be assigned to it in writing by the Minister.

(2) In the exercise of its functions the competent authority shall:

(a) act independently of policies, regulatory decisions or other considerations unrelated to its duties under these regulations;

(b) make clear the extent of its responsibilities and the responsibilities of the operator and the owner for the control of major accident risks under these regulations;

(c) establish a policy, process and procedures for thorough assessment of reports on major hazards and notifications submitted by means of the reports and documents required under regulation 24 as well as for overseeing compliance with these regulations, including inspection, investigation and enforcement actions;

(d) make the policy, process and procedures pursuant to paragraph (c) available to operators and owners and make summaries thereof available to the public;

(e) where necessary, prepare and implement coordinated or joint procedures with other national authorities to undertake its duties under these regulations; and

(f) base its policy, organisation and operational procedures on the principles set out in Schedule Three.