Explanatory note

The Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Determination and Review Procedure) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/794) (“the Procedure Regulations”) which (apart from regulations 3(2) and 21) extend to Northern Ireland make provision relating to the review of determinations by the Authority and set time limits for the payment of civil penalties imposed by the Authority. These Regulations make provision corresponding to regulations 3(2) and 21 of the Procedure Regulations.

Regulation 1 provides for the citation, commencement and interpretation of the Regulations.

Regulation 2 prescribes the time within which an application for a review under Article 94(2) of the Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (“the Order”) is to be made.

Regulation 3 prescribes the time limit for payment of a civil penalty imposed by the Authority for the purposes of Article 10(1) of the Order.

These Regulations are made under Articles 10(1) and 94(2) of the Order. The Pensions (1995 Order) (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 307 (C. 18)) provides for the coming into operation of those Articles, for the purpose only of authorising the making of regulations, on 23rd July 1996.

As these Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to Great Britain, the requirement to consult under Article 117(1) of the Order does not apply by virtue of paragraph (2)(e) of that Article.