STATUTORY RULES.
1927. No. 28.
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REGULATION UNDER THE SPIRITS ACT 1906-1923.
(FIRST 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 Regulation under the Spirits Act 1906-1923 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this first day of April, 1927.
STONEHAVEN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. W. CRAWFORD,
for Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
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Amendment of Spirits Regulation.
(Statutory Rules 1926 No. 202.)
Regulation 17 of the Spirits Regulations is hereby cancelled and the following is inserted in its stead:—
17. The standards for the classes of Methylated Spirits called Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel are as follow:—
Industrial Spirits.
(a) 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 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) 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 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 over-proof and to be methylated by the addition of 1 per cent. of wood naphtha or methyl alcohol, 2 per cent. of one of the following—petrol, gasoline, petroleum benzine, petroleum naphtha, coal tar naphtha, shale naphtha, benzole or the like substances, and a percentage (not exceeding 30 per cent.) of sulphuric ether.
Alcohol Fuel.
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 1 per cent. of wood naphtha, ½ per cent. pyridine 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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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. GREEN, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.4932.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Spirits Regulations (First Amendment) 1927, enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the Spirits Act 1906-1923, aimed to modify the standards for the classification of methylated spirits. This legislative instrument was created to ensure consistency and quality in the production of industrial, mineralized, and alcohol fuel spirits by defining the specific chemical compositions required for these categories. The objective was to refine the regulatory framework governing the production and sale of spirits, ensuring that these substances met prescribed standards for safety and commercial purposes. This amendment sought to provide clear guidelines for the industry, thereby facilitating compliance and maintaining public safety standards.
Scope and Application
This legislative instrument amends the Spirits Regulations under the Spirits Act 1906-1923, which governs the production, sale, and use of spirits in Australia. The amendment primarily affects the standards for specific classes of methylated spirits, namely Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel. The regulation specifies the composition and strength requirements for these substances, ensuring that they meet certain chemical criteria before they can be classified and used within their respective categories. The Act applies to entities and individuals involved in the production, sale, and use of spirits, ensuring compliance with national standards set by the Commonwealth. The geographic reach of this legislation is nationwide, as it is a federal regulation, impacting all states and territories within Australia. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, and it does not appear to extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation pertain to the amendment of Regulation 17 under the Spirits Regulations, which sets forth the standards for the classes of Methylated Spirits called Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel. Regulation 17, as amended, details the specific requirements for the composition and strength of these spirits. For Industrial Spirits, the regulation specifies two distinct methods of methylation, each requiring the base spirit to be of a strength of not less than 65 degrees over-proof. The first method involves the addition of 2% wood naphtha, ½% pyridine, and ½% of certain specified hydrocarbons or naphthas. The second method requires 1% wood naphtha, ¼% pyridine, 2 to 20% benzine, and ¼% of an aniline violet or blue dye solution. For Mineralized Spirits, the base spirit must also be at least 65 degrees over-proof, methylated with 1% wood naphtha or methyl alcohol, 2% of specific hydrocarbons or naphthas, and up to 30% sulphuric ether. For Alcohol Fuel, the base spirit must meet the same over-proof requirement and be methylated with 1% wood naphtha, ½% pyridine, and not less than 2% of certain hydrocarbons, naphthas, benzole, sulphuric ether, or similar substances.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this legislation are specific to the composition and strength of Methylated Spirits. Distillers and manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the prescribed standards for Industrial Spirits, Mineralized Spirits, and Alcohol Fuel. This includes verifying the strength of the base spirit before methylation, accurately measuring and adding the specified chemicals in the correct proportions, and ensuring the final product conforms to the regulatory standards. Compliance with these requirements is crucial to avoid any legal repercussions and to ensure the safety and quality of the spirits produced.
The legislation does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, non-compliance with the Spirits Act 1906-1923 and the subsequent regulations could potentially lead to legal action under the broader framework of the Act. This might include penalties for producing, distributing, or selling spirits that do not meet the statutory standards, which could result in fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and any additional provisions under the overarching Act. It is advisable for parties governed by this regulation to ensure strict adherence to the specified standards to avoid any potential legal consequences.