STATUTORY RULES.
1919. No. 69.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE SPIRITS ACT 1906–1918.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906–1918 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this second day of April, 1919.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. MASSY GREENE,
Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
Amendment of Spirits Act Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 344.)
Part IV.—Standards.
Regulations 17 and 18 are hereby cancelled and the following Regulations inserted in their stead:—
“17. The standards for the classes of Methylated Spirits called Industrial Spirits and Mineralized Spirits are as follow:—
Standard for Industrial Spirits.
The spirit before methylation to be of a strength of not less than 60 degrees over-proof and to be methylated by the addition of 1 per cent. of wood naphtha, ½ per cent. of pyridine, and 2 per cent. of one of the following:—
Approved Coal Tar Naphtha. |
„ | Shale Naphtha. |
„ | Petrol. |
„ | Gasoline. |
„ | Petroleum Benzine. |
„ | Shale Benzine. |
„ | Petroleum Naphtha. |
Standard for Mineralized Spirits.
The spirit before methylation to be of a strength of not less than 60 degrees over-proof and to be methylated by the addition of 1 per cent. of wood naphtha, ¼ per cent. of pyridine, 2 to 20 per cent. of benzine, and ¼ per cent. of a solution of aniline, violet, or blue dye.
“18. Except with the written permission of the Comptroller, Methylated Spirits for sale shall not be treated in any manner or mixed with water or other substance, so as to reduce the strength normally appertaining to such Methylated Spirits, which in the case of ‘industrial’ Methylated Spirits shall not be less than 59 degrees over-proof.” (T. & C. ’19/C. 904.)
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1919 No. 69, made under the Spirits Act 1906–1918, aim to amend the existing regulations concerning the standards for industrial and mineralized spirits. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure consistency and compliance with the specified requirements for the production and sale of these substances. The regulations were issued by the Governor-General in Council, acting on advice from the Minister of State for Trade and Customs. The primary policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain quality control and safety standards for the production and sale of Methylated Spirits by defining the precise composition and permissible additives for Industrial and Mineralized Spirits, as well as preventing the dilution of these spirits below the required strength.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906–1918, which were made effective by the Governor-General in Council on 2 April 1919, establish specific standards and restrictions on the sale and treatment of Methylated Spirits, referred to as Industrial Spirits and Mineralized Spirits. These regulations apply to all persons and entities involved in the production, sale, and treatment of these spirits within the Commonwealth of Australia. The new standards outlined in the regulations require that Industrial Spirits be produced from spirits of at least 60 degrees over-proof, methylated with precise proportions of wood naphtha, pyridine, and other specified substances. Mineralized Spirits must also originate from spirits of at least 60 degrees over-proof but include additional components such as benzine and a solution of aniline, violet, or blue dye. Furthermore, the regulations prohibit the reduction of the strength of Methylated Spirits through any treatment or mixing with water or other substances unless written permission is obtained from the Comptroller, ensuring that Industrial Spirits maintain a minimum strength of 59 degrees over-proof. These stringent measures aim to regulate the quality and composition of Methylated Spirits available for sale within the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of these Regulations, as provided under the Spirits Act 1906–1918, concern the standards for Methylated Spirits, specifically Industrial Spirits and Mineralized Spirits. Regulation 17 details the precise composition and strength requirements for these spirits, mandating that the base spirit must be at least 60 degrees over-proof. For Industrial Spirits, the spirit is to be methylated with a specific blend of wood naphtha, pyridine, and one of several approved naphthas or benzenes. For Mineralized Spirits, the process includes a similar blend but also requires the addition of 2 to 20 per cent benzine and a trace of aniline, violet, or blue dye (Reg. 17). Regulation 18 imposes a prohibition on the dilution or alteration of Methylated Spirits for sale, unless explicitly permitted in writing by the Comptroller, and mandates that the strength of Industrial Spirits must not fall below 59 degrees over-proof (Reg. 18).
These Regulations impose several obligations on entities involved in the production and sale of Methylated Spirits. Firstly, producers and sellers must ensure that the base spirit used meets the minimum strength requirement of 60 degrees over-proof before methylation. Secondly, they must adhere strictly to the specified proportions of the additives used in the methylation process to ensure compliance with the standards for Industrial Spirits and Mineralized Spirits. Thirdly, any treatment, mixing, or dilution of Methylated Spirits must be avoided unless expressly authorised by the Comptroller (Reg. 18). Compliance with these standards and prohibitions is essential to maintain the integrity and safety of the spirits produced and sold under these Regulations.
Breach of these Regulations may lead to several consequences, both civil and criminal. Firstly, any entity found to be in violation of the specified standards for Methylated Spirits may face penalties as prescribed under the Spirits Act 1906–1918. This could include fines, confiscation of non-compliant products, and potential legal action. Secondly, any tampering with the strength of Methylated Spirits without proper authorisation (Reg. 18) may also result in similar penalties. The Act provides for both criminal sanctions, such as imprisonment, and civil penalties, including substantial fines, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The precise penalties are not detailed within these Regulations but are outlined in the overarching Spirits Act.