STATUTORY RULES.
1924. No. 19.
REGULATION UNDER THE EXCISE ACT 1901–1918.
I, THE GOVERNOR‑GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Excise Act 1901–1918, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this sixth day of February, 1924.
FORSTER,
Governor‑General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
AUSTIN CHAPMAN,
Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
Amendment of Excise Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 345, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 84 of the Excise Regulations 1913 is repealed, and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
“84, The spirit must be approved by the analyst and be pure wine spirit of a strength not less than 30 degrees overproof. It shall contain not more than 4 grammes of higher alcohols (calculated in terms of isobutyl alcohol) nor more than 75 milligrammes of aldehydes (calculated as acetaldehyde) or more than 5 milligrammes of furfural per litre of absolute alcohol.
The above standard shall not apply to wine spirit which has been matured in wood for a period of not less than two years.”
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.1689.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Excise Regulations 1924 were established under the Excise Act 1901–1918 by the Governor-General in Council, with the aim of providing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the production and distribution of exciseable goods, including alcohol. This legislative instrument addressed the need for stringent quality controls and compliance measures to ensure that spirit products met specific purity and composition standards. The Regulations were enacted to safeguard public health by preventing the sale of substandard or harmful alcoholic beverages, aligning with the overarching policy objective of maintaining consumer protection and regulatory oversight. The Minister of State for Trade and Customs, Austin Chapman, played a key role in the development and implementation of these regulations, which were designed to standardise and enforce the quality and safety of spirit products across Australia.
Scope and Application
The Excise Regulations 1924, established under the authority of the Excise Act 1901–1918, pertain to the regulation and approval of spirits within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, these regulations apply to any person or entity involved in the production, importation, or sale of spirits, ensuring that such spirits meet stringent quality and purity standards. The regulations are designed to maintain a consistent standard of purity and quality for spirits, ensuring they are free from excessive levels of certain chemicals, unless they have been appropriately matured. These regulations apply across the entire Commonwealth, establishing a uniform standard for the spirits industry. There are no specific exclusions mentioned in the text, although the regulation does provide an exemption for wine spirit that has been matured in wood for a period of not less than two years. The regulations can be further elaborated or adjusted through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional details or clarifications to ensure the smooth implementation and enforcement of the standards set forth.
Key Provisions
The Excise Regulations 1924, specifically Regulation 84, revises the criteria for spirit approval, stipulating that it must be pure wine spirit with a minimum strength of 30 degrees overproof (Section 84). It also outlines the allowable limits of higher alcohols, aldehydes, and furfural per litre of absolute alcohol, except for wine spirit that has been aged in wood for at least two years. This regulation ensures that the spirit adheres to specific purity and quality standards, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of the product.
The Act imposes obligations on manufacturers and suppliers of spirit to ensure that their products meet the outlined standards. This includes the requirement to have the spirit approved by an analyst, and for those who have aged their spirit in wood for at least two years, they must ensure compliance with the specified limits of higher alcohols, aldehydes, and furfural. This regulatory oversight is intended to protect consumer safety and uphold industry standards.
Failure to comply with the standards set forth in Regulation 84 can lead to legal consequences. The Act does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance in the provided text, but under the broader Excise Act 1901–1918, breaches of excise regulations can result in civil and criminal penalties. This may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The specific penalties would be determined by the courts, taking into account the particulars of each case.