S.L. 545.9 Art. 18Emergency procedures.

(1) The Minister may direct in writing the Regulator and if applicable the CSE to release quickly, effectively and transparently some or all of the emergency stocks and specific stocks in the event of a major supply disruption, and to impose general or specific restrictions on consumption in line with the estimated shortages, inter alia, by allocating petroleum products to certain groups of users on a priority basis.

(2) The Regulator shall at all times have contingency plans to be implemented in the event of a major supply disruption and shall provide for organisational measures to be taken to allow those plans to be implemented. Upon request, the Regulator shall inform the Commission of contingency plans and of the corresponding organisational arrangements.

(3) In the event of an effective international or Community decision to release stocks affecting Malta, the Minister may direct in writing to the Regulator to order economic operators and the CSE to use emergency stocks and specific stocks to fulfil international obligations under that decision. In so doing, the Minister shall notify the Commission immediately.

(4) The Minister may direct in writing the Regulator to order economic operators to release emergency and specific stocks below the compulsory minimum level set by these regulations in amounts immediately necessary for an initial response in cases of particular urgency or in order to meet local crises. In the event of such release, the Minister shall inform the Commission immediately of the amount released.

(5) Where sub-regulations (3) or (4) are applied, the Minister may direct in writing to the Regulator to order economic operators and the CSEs, as may be applicable, to temporarily permit that stocks are held at levels lower than those stipulated by these regulations.

(6) As from 1 January 2013, economic operators and the CSEs, as may be applicable, shall retain data and documentation relating to stocks, held for the purpose of these regulations, for a period of time of at least five years.