STATUTORY RULES.
1929. No. 98.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE SPIRITS ACT 1906-1923.
(Sixth Amendment.)
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, do hereby make the following Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906-1923 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this fifth day of September, 1929.
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command.
Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
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amendment of spirits regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1926, No. 202, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 17 of the Spirits Regulations is hereby cancelled and the following substituted:
“17. The standards for the classes of Methylated Spirits called Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits and Alcohol Fuel are as follows:—
Industrial Spirits.
The spirit before methylation to be of a strength of not less than 65 degrees over-proof, and to be methylated by the addition of —
(a) 2 per cent. of wood naphtha, ½ per cent. of pyridine and ½ per cent. of one of the following:—Petrol, gasoline, petroleum, benzine, petroleum naphtha, coal-tar naphtha or shale naphtha; or
(b) 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.
Mineralized Spirits.
The spirit, before methylation to be of a strength of not less than 65 degrees overproof and to be methylated by the addition of ½ per cent. of approved methyl alcohol, one twentieth of 1 per cent. of pyridine, and 2 per cent. of one of the following:— Petrol, gasoline, petroleum benzine, petroleum naphtha, coal-tar naphtha, shale, naphtha, benzole or the like substances.
Alcohol Fuel
The spirit before methylation to be of a strength of not less than 65 degrees overproof and to be methylated by the addition of—
(a) 1 per cent. of wood naphtha and ½ per cent. of pyridine; or
(b) 2 per cent. of wood naphtha;
and not less than 2 per cent. of one of the following:— Petrol, gasoline, petroleum benzine, petroleum naphtha, coal-tar naphtha, shale naphtha, benzole, sulphuric ether, or the like substances.
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By Authority: H . J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Spirits Regulations 1929 were introduced to provide further detail and amendments to the Spirits Act 1906-1923. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the Commonwealth Parliament, these regulations address the need for updated standards in the production and classification of various types of methylated spirits. The objective is to ensure consistency and quality control in the spirits industry, particularly concerning the substances used in the methylation process for categories such as Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel. The regulations detail specific requirements for the strength and composition of these spirits, aiming to prevent misuse and ensure public safety.
Scope and Application
The Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906-1923, as amended, govern the standards and composition of various classes of methylated spirits, specifically Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel. These regulations apply to entities involved in the production, importation, and sale of these spirits, ensuring compliance with the specified standards to maintain safety and quality. The geographic scope of these regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations define the chemical composition and minimum strength requirements for the different classes of spirits, thereby controlling the substances that can be used in their production. Exclusions or exemptions are not explicitly mentioned in the text, and the regulations are supplemented by subordinate instruments which may further refine or extend the application of the standards set forth.
Key Provisions
The Sixth Amendment of the Spirits Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906-1923 introduces specific standards for various classes of methylated spirits, including Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel. Regulation 17 (subsection 17) replaces previous standards, detailing the precise composition and strength requirements for these classes of spirits. For Industrial Spirits, the spirit before methylation must be at least 65 degrees over-proof and methylated by adding specific proportions of substances such as wood naphtha, pyridine, and other chemicals like petrol or benzine. Similarly, Mineralized Spirits must also be methylated with a mixture that includes methyl alcohol, pyridine, and substances like petrol or benzole. Alcohol Fuel requires a minimum strength before methylation, and its composition must include specific percentages of wood naphtha, pyridine, and other substances such as petrol or sulphuric ether.
The Regulations impose clear obligations on manufacturers and suppliers of these spirits. They must ensure that the spirits meet the specified standards in terms of both strength and composition. This involves meticulous control over the ingredients used in the methylation process and adherence to the prescribed proportions to ensure compliance with the standards outlined in the Regulations. Any deviation from these standards could result in non-compliance with the Act, leading to potential legal repercussions.
Violations of the Spirits Act and its Regulations can result in significant legal consequences. Offenders may face both civil and criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, under Australian law, breaches of such regulations can typically result in fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they can range from substantial fines to potential jail time, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring the safety and compliance of methylated spirits with the prescribed standards.