S.L. 549.97 ст. 12Competent authority.

(1) The competent authority shall have the duty to:

(a) establish which operator has caused the damage or the imminent threat of damage;

(b) assess the significance of the damage; and

(c) determine which remedial measures should be taken with reference to Schedule II.

(2) The competent authority may require the relevant operator to carry out his own assessment and to supply any information and data necessary.

(3) The competent authority may empower or require third parties to carry out the necessary preventive or remedial measures.

(4) Any decision taken pursuant to these regulations which imposes preventive or remedial measures shall state the exact grounds on which it is based. Such decision shall be notified forthwith to the operator concerned, who shall at the same time be informed of the remedies available to him under the relevant laws concerned and of the time-limits to which such remedies are subject.