STATUTORY RULES.
1927. No. 154.
_______
REGULATION UNDER THE SPIRITS ACT 1906-1923.
(Third 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 22nd day of December 1927.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
THOS. W. CRAWFORD
For Minister of State for Trade and Customs.
______
Amendment of spirits regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1926, No. 202, as amended to this date.)
“Regulation 17 of the Spirits Regulations is amended by the cancellation of the standard set out therein under the heading ‘Mineralized Spirits’ and by the substitution under that heading of the following:—
‘The spirit before methylation to be of a strength of not less than 65 degrees overproof and to be methylated by the addition of one per cent. of wood naphtha or methyl alcohol (or alternatively, by one half of one per cent. of methyl alcohol and one twentieth of one per cent. of pyridine); two 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 less than 10 per cent. and not exceeding 75 per cent.) of sulphuric ether.
Provided that—
In regard to the Mineralized Spirits (Power Alcohol) to which the Power Alcohol Bounty Act 1926 relates, and for the purposes of that Act only, ‘sulphuric ether’ means sulphuric ether manufactured from spirit distilled from any of the following products grown in Australia, viz.:—Cassava, sweet potatoes, arrow-root, or any other cultivated starch-bearing plant approved by the Minister.’”
________________
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
1507.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Spirits Act 1906-1923, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to regulate the production, sale, and consumption of alcoholic spirits within the country. The Act provided a comprehensive framework to control the spirits industry, aiming to ensure public safety and maintain quality standards. The Spirits Act 1906-1923 was amended multiple times to address evolving issues and maintain the relevance of the regulations. The policy objective of the Act was to provide a structured approach to managing the spirits industry while safeguarding public health and ensuring fair trade practices. The 1927 amendment aimed to refine the production process of spirits, specifically addressing the mineralized spirits category by updating the standards and ingredients allowed for their manufacture. This amendment sought to enhance the quality and safety of spirits available in the market.
Scope and Application
The Spirits Regulations, amended by the Statutory Rules of 1927 No. 154, are made under the authority of the Spirits Act 1906-1923 and apply to all persons and entities involved in the production, importation, and distribution of spirits within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations set specific standards and specifications for the production of mineralized spirits, including precise requirements for the strength and composition of the spirit before methylation, and the substances that can be added during the methylation process. Notably, the regulations distinguish between general mineralized spirits and those covered by the Power Alcohol Bounty Act 1926, with specific provisions for the latter regarding the definition of 'sulphuric ether'. The geographic scope of these regulations is nationwide, affecting all states and territories within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text, though the application may be extended or restricted by subordinate instruments. The regulations are designed to ensure compliance with national standards for spirits production and related activities.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this legislative instrument are found in the amendment to Regulation 17 of the Spirits Regulations, which pertains to the composition and requirements for mineralized spirits (section 1). This amendment specifies the strength and ingredients of the spirit before methylation and outlines the substances that can be added, including wood naphtha, methyl alcohol, petrol, petroleum benzine, coal tar naphtha, shale naphtha, benzole, or similar substances, along with a percentage range for sulphuric ether. Additionally, it mandates that for mineralized spirits falling under the Power Alcohol Bounty Act 1926, sulphuric ether must be manufactured from spirit distilled from approved Australian-grown starch-bearing plants.
This Act imposes several obligations on parties involved in the production and methylation of spirits. Manufacturers must ensure that the spirit used in the production of mineralized spirits meets the minimum strength requirement of 65 degrees overproof (section 1). Furthermore, they must adhere strictly to the specified percentages of wood naphtha, methyl alcohol, and other additives. For those producing mineralized spirits under the Power Alcohol Bounty Act 1926, the source of sulphuric ether is particularly regulated, requiring it to be derived from approved Australian-grown starch-bearing plants. Compliance with these stipulations is essential to avoid any legal repercussions.
Breaches of the provisions outlined in this legislation can result in significant legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, violations of the Spirits Act 1906-1923 or related regulations could lead to fines, imprisonment, or other penalties as prescribed under the overarching act. The precise penalties would depend on the severity and nature of the breach, as well as any additional regulations or amendments that may apply. Given the stringent requirements and the potential economic impact of non-compliance, it is crucial for manufacturers to adhere closely to the specifications set out in the Act.