MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  1
CHAPTER 419
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ACT
To repeal and re-enact with amendments the Malta
Standardisation Authority Act, Cap. 187.
18th July, 2000
ACT XIX of 2000.
Title.
Interpretation.
"Authority" means the Malta Standards Authority; 
"Chairman" means the Chairman of the Authority;
"Chief Executive" means the Chief Executive appointed under
article 3 of this Act;
"conformity mark" means a mark, issued in accordance with
regulations made under article 21 of this Act, showing compliance
with an applicable standard;
"draft standard" means a document containing the text of the
technical specifications concerning a given subject, which is being
considered for adoption and as circulated for public comment or
scrutiny; 
"Directorates" means such directorates as may be established
under article 3 of this Act;
"employee" means a person employed with the Authority;
"European standardization body" means any of the following
bodies:
- CEN - European Committee for Standardization;
- CENELEC - European Committee for Electrotechnical
Standardization;
- ETSI - European Telecommunications Standards
Institute;
"financial year" means any period of twelve months ending on
the 30th September:
Provided that the first financial year of the Authority shall
commence on the coming into force of the Act and end on the 30th
September of the next following year;
"Malta" has the same meaning as is assigned to it by article 124
of the Constitution of Malta;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for industry;
"permit" means a permit granted by the Authority under article
19 (1) of this Act for the use of a conformity mark;
"product" means any industrially manufactured product and any
agricultural product, including fish products;
"public officer" has the same meaning assigned to it by article
124 of the Constitution but does not include a judge of the Superior
2 ġ CAP. 419. MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY
Courts or a Magistrate of the Inferior Courts;
"service" means a result generated by activities at the interface
between the supplier and the customer and by supplier internal
activities to meet the customer needs;
"standard" means a technical specification approved by a
recognised standardization body for repeated or continuous
application, with which compliance is not compulsory, whether or
not including other requirements, and which is one of the
following: 
- International Standard: a standard adopted by an
international standardization organisation, other than a
European standardization body, and made available to
the public;
- European Standard: a standard adopted by a European
standardization body and made available to the public;
- National Standard: a standard adopted by the
Authority and made available to the public;
"standards programme" means a work programme listing the
subjects on which standardization work is being carried out;
"technical specification" means a specification contained in a
document which lays down the characteristics required of a product
and, or, service such as levels of quality, performance, safety or
dimensions, including the requirements applicable to the product
and, or, service as regards the name under which the product and,
or, service is sold, terminology, symbols, testing and test methods,
packaging, marking or labelling used and the conformity
assessment procedures. This term also covers production methods
and processes used in respect of agricultural products, products
intended for human and animal consumption, and medicinal
products, as well as production methods and processes relating to
other products, where these have an effect on their characteristics.
For the purposes of this definition, "conformity assessment
procedures" mean any procedures used, directly and indirectly, to
determine that relevant requirements in technical regulations or
standards are fulfilled, including, inter alia, procedures for
sampling, testing and inspection; evaluation, verification and
assurance of conformity, registration, accreditation and approval as
well as their combinations.
Establishment and 
constitution of the 
Malta Standards 
Authority.
3. (1) There shall continue to be an Authority, to be called the
Malta Standards Authority, which shall exercise and perform the
functions assigned to it by this Act or by any other law.
(2)  The Authority shall be governed by a Council which shall
be composed as follows:-
( a ) a Chairman, appointed by the Prime Minister;
( b ) the Director of Industry ex officio who shall be Deputy
Chairman;
( c ) the Comptroller of Customs  ex officio ;
( d ) the Director of Agriculture  ex officio ;
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  3
( e ) the Director of Consumer Affairs  ex officio ;
( f ) the Director (Environment Protection)  ex officio ;
( g ) the Director (Public Health)  ex officio ;
( h ) three members appointed by the Minister -
(i) one after consultation with the Kamra tal-Periti;
(ii) one after consultation with the Chamber of
Professional Engineers, and
(iii) one after consultation with the Chamber of
Pharmacists;
( i ) a member appointed by the Council of the University
of Malta;
( j ) a representative of the Malta Council for Science and
Technology, appointed by the Prime Minister;
( k ) a member appointed by the Chamber of Commerce;
( l ) a member appointed by the Federation of Industries;
and
( m ) a member appointed by the General Retailers and
Traders Union.
(3) The members of the Council other than those referred to in
subarticle (2)( b ) to ( g ) shall be appointed for a period not
exceeding three years and shall be eligible to be reappointed.
(4) The members of the Council shall receive such
remuneration as the Minister may prescribe.
(5) Subject to the other provisions of this Act the affairs and
business of the Authority shall be the responsibility of the
Authority itself but save as aforesaid, the executive conduct of the
Authority, its administration and organisation and the
administrative control of its officers and employees, shall be the
responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Authority, who shall
also have such other powers as may from time to time be delegated
to him by the Authority. The Chief Executive of the Authority shall
act as Secretary to the Council: 
Provided that the Authority may if it so deems fit require
the Chief Executive not to attend any of the meetings or any part of
a meeting of the Council.
(6) The presence at any meeting of the Council of the
Chairman or the Deputy Chairman and any other six members shall
constitute a quorum:
Provided that, where a member of the Council has a direct
or an indirect interest in any matter being discussed or decided
upon by the Council, then such member shall not be present at the
time of such discussion or decision.
(7) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of any regulations
made thereunder the Council shall regulate its own proceedings.
(8) The Council may act notwithstanding any vacancy as long
as a quorum is present.
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(9) The Chairman shall have an original and in the case of
equality of votes a second or casting vote.
(10) The Authority shall be the authority in Malta entrusted
with the coordination of standardization and related activities, and
in the exercise of its functions under this or any other law, it shall,
unless otherwise expressly provided, not be under the direction or
control of any person or authority.
(11) The Authority may with the concurrence of the Minister,
enter into agreements with any person or authority whereby such
person or authority shall on behalf of the Authority carry out such
functions and services as are by this or any other law assigned to
the Authority.
Provided that nothing in this subarticle shall authorise the
Authority to contract out its functions as specified in paragraph (a)
of article 16 of this Act.
(12) The Authority shall have a legal personality distinct from
that of the Government, its legal representation shall vest in the
Chairman. The assets and other properties held by the Authority
shall however be the property of the Government and the Authority
shall only have their administration during such tenure, and shall
dispose of them in accordance with such directives as the Minister
may from time to time give to the Authority.
(13) The Authority may with the approval of the Minister
recruit such personnel as it may require for the proper discharge of
its functions under this Act under such terms and conditions as the
Minister may approve.
Directorates. (14) There shall be established such Directorates as the Minister
may by Order prescribe and which shall have the responsibilities as
described therein. The Minister may, after consulting the Authority,
by Order abolish any one or more of the said Directorates, vary
their responsibilities and establish such other Directorates as he
may from time to time deem appropriate. 
(15) The Authority shall exercise its functions through the
Directorates so established and for such purpose it shall vest in
each of the Directorates such of its functions as relate or are
ancillary to the matters for which it is responsible so as to enable
the said Directorate to give effect to the policies of the Authority
and to otherwise discharge effectively and efficiently the functions
of the Authority in its respective area of operation. 
(16) Each of the Directorates so established shall be headed by
a person who shall either be a public officer detailed for duty with
the Authority or an employee of the Authority or a person detailed
to work for the Authority in accordance with an agreement made
between the Authority and a public or private undertaking, in either
case having adequate experience or knowledge in his respective
area of operation. 
(17) The Chief Executive and the heads of the Directorates shall
be appointed by the Authority after consultation with the Minister
for a period of three years which may be extended for further
periods of three years each: 
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  5
Provided that the first Chief Executive and the first head of
each Directorate to be appointed after the coming into force of this
Act shall be appointed by the Minister.
(18) The Authority and each of the Directorates may exercise
any one or more of their functions either directly or through any of
their officers or employees or, subject to the proviso to subarticle
(11) above, through an agency authorised for the purpose, or
through a contractor or other person with whom an agreement for
the performance of any one or more of such functions has been
entered into. 
(19) Where in this Act anything is to be done by or against or
with respect to the Authority, or any notice is to be or may be given
to the Authority, any such thing or notice may also be done by or
against or with respect to or be given to the Directorate under
whose jurisdiction the matter falls by reason of a delegation of
function to such Directorate; and for the purposes aforesaid any
reference in this Act to the Authority includes a reference to the
appropriate Directorate. 
Relations between 
the Minister and 
the Authority.
(20) The Minister may, in relation to matters that appear to him
to affect the public interest, from time to time give to the Authority
written directions of a general character, not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, on the policy to be followed in the carrying
out of the functions vested in the Authority by or under this Act,
and the Authority shall, as soon as may be, give effect to all such
directions. 
(21) The Authority shall afford to the Minister facilities for
obtaining information with respect to its property and activities and
furnish him with returns, accounts and other information with
respect thereto, and afford to him facilities for the verification of
information furnished, in such manner and at such times as he may
reasonably require. 
Detailing of public 
officers for duty 
with Authority.
4. (1) The Prime Minister may, at the request of the
Authority, from time to time direct that any public officer shall be
detailed for duty with the Authority in such capacity and with
effect from such date as may be specified in the direction.
(2) The period during which a direction as aforesaid shall
apply to any officer specified therein shall, unless the officer retires
from the public service, or otherwise ceases to hold office at an
earlier date, or a different date is specified in the direction, end on
the happening of any of the following events, that is to say -
( a ) the acceptance by such officer of an offer of transfer to
the service of, and permanent employment with the
Authority made in pursuance of subarticle (8) of this
article; or
( b ) the revocation by the Prime Minister of any direction
made by him under this article in relation to such
officer.
(3) Where a direction as aforesaid is revoked by the Prime
Minister in relation to any officer, the Prime Minister may, by
further direction, detail such officer for duty with the Authority in
6 ġ CAP. 419. MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY
such capacity and with effect from such date as may be specified in
the further direction, and the provisions of subarticle (2) of this
article shall thereupon apply to the period of duration of such
further direction in relation to such officer.
(4) When a public officer is detailed for duty with the
Authority under any of the provisions of this article, such officer
shall, during the time the direction has effect in relation to him, be
under the administrative authority and control of the Authority, but
he shall for other intents and purposes remain, and be considered
and treated as, a public officer.
(5) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, a
public officer detailed for duty as aforesaid -
( a ) shall not during the time while such officer is so
detailed -
(i) be precluded from applying for a transfer to a
department of the Government in accordance
with the terms and conditions of service attached
to the appointment under the Government held
by him at the date on which he was detailed for
duty; or
(ii) be so employed that his remuneration and
conditions of service are less favourable than
those which are attached to the appointment
under the Government held by him at the date he
was detailed for duty as aforesaid or which
would have become attached to such
appointment, during the said period, had such
officer not been detailed for duty with the
Authority; and
Cap. 93.
Cap. 58.
( b ) shall be entitled to have his service with the Authority
considered as service with the Government for the
purpose of any pension, gratuity or benefit under the
Pensions Ordinance and the Widows’ and Orphans’
Pension Act, and of any other right of privilege to
which he would be entitled, and shall be liable to any
liability to which he would be liable, but for the fact
that he is detailed for duty with the Authority.
(6) Where an application is made as provided in subarticle
(5)( a )(i) of this article, the same consideration shall be given
thereto as if the applicant had not been detailed for duty with the
Authority.
(7) The Authority shall pay to the Government such
contributions as may from time to time be determined by the
Minister responsible for finance in respect of the cost of pensions
and gratuities earned by an officer detailed for duty with the
Authority as aforesaid during the period in which he is so detailed.
Offer of permanent 
employment with 
the Authority to 
public officers 
detailed for duty 
with the Authority.
(8) The Authority may, with the approval of the Prime
Minister, offer to any public officer detailed for duty with the
Authority under subarticle (2) of this article permanent
employment with the Authority at a remuneration and on terms and
conditions specified in the offer.
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  7
(9) Every officer who accepts permanent employment with the
Authority offered to him under this article shall, for all purposes be
deemed to have ceased to be in the service of the Government and
to have entered into service with the Authority on the date of his
acceptance.
(10) Every such officer as aforesaid who, immediately before
accepting permanent employment with the Authority was entitled
to benefit under the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions Act, shall
continue to be so entitled to benefit thereunder to all intents as if
his service with the Authority were service with the Government. 
(11)( a ) Posts and salary grades with the Authority shall be
classified in the most nearly corresponding grades and
incremental levels in the service under the Government
of Malta by reference to job description, skills,
responsibilities and other analogous factors. 
( b ) The classification referred to in paragraph ( a ) of this
subarticle shall be carried out by a board composed of
a chairman appointed by the Minister responsible for
finance and two other members, one appointed by the
Minister responsible centrally far personnel policies in
the public service and one appointed by the Authority.
The classification shall be subject to the final approval
of the Minister responsible for finance. 
( c ) Such classification shall take place within three
months of any adjustment of salaries of employees in
Government service and, or, of employees of the
Authority. 
( d ) No post shall be classified in a grade higher than that
of Grade 3 in the service of the Government or such
other grade as the Minister responsible for finance may
from time to time by notice in the Gazette determine. 
( e ) Without prejudice to article 113 of the Constitution, no
person may, following a classification as aforesaid, be
entitled to rights under the said Pensions Ordinance
less favourable than those to which he would have
been entitled prior to such classification. 
Authority to meet 
part of expenditure 
out of revenue.
5. (1) Without prejudice to the following provisions of this
article, the Authority shall so conduct its affairs that so much of the
expenditure required for the proper performance of its functions as
is possible shall, as far as practicable, be met out of its revenue. 
(2) For such purpose the Authority shall levy all fees, rates and
other payments prescribed or deemed to be prescribed by or under
this Act or any other law related to the powers and functions of the
Authority. 
(3) The Authority shall also be paid by Government out of the
Consolidated Fund such sums as Parliament may from time to time
authorise to be appropriated to meet any of its expenditure that
cannot be covered by its revenues and the costs of specified works
to be continued or otherwise carried out by the Authority, being
works of infrastructure or a similar capital nature. 
8 ġ CAP. 419. MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY
(4) Any excess of revenue over expenditure shall, subject to
such directives as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister
responsible for finance, may from time to time give, be applied by
the Authority to the formation of reserve funds to be used for the
purposes of the Authority; and without prejudice to the generality
of the powers given to the Minister by this subarticle, any direction
given by the Minister as aforesaid may order the transfer to the
Government, or the application in such manner as may be specified
in the direction, of any part of the fees, rates and other payments
levied in accordance with subarticle (2) of this article or any such
excess as aforesaid. 
(5) Any funds of the Authority not immediately required to
meet expenditure may be invested in such manner as may from time
to time be approved by the Minister. 
Power to borrow or 
raise capital.
6. (1) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions
under this Act, the Authority may, with the approval in writing of
the Minister given after consultation with the Minister responsible
for finance, borrow or raise money in such manner, from such
person, body or authority, and under such terms and conditions as
the Minister, after consultation as aforesaid, may in writing
approve.
(2) The Authority may also, from time to time, borrow, by way
of overdraft or otherwise, such sums as it may require for carrying
out its functions under this Act: 
Provided that for any amount in excess of fifty thousand
liri, there shall be required the approval of the Minister in writing. 
Advances from 
Government.
7. The Minister responsible for finance may, after
consultation with the Minister, make advances to the Authority of
such sums as he may agree to be required by the Authority for
carrying out any of its functions under this Act, and may make such
advances on such terms and conditions as he may, after
consultation as aforesaid, deem appropriate. Any such advance may
be made by the Minister responsible for finance out of the
Consolidated Fund, and without further appropriation other than
this Act, by warrant under his hand authorising the Accountant
General to make such advance. 
Borrowing from 
Government.
8. (1) The Minister responsible for finance may, for any
requirements of the Authority of a capital nature, contract or raise
loans, or incur liabilities, for such periods and on such terms and
conditions as he may deem appropriate; and any sums due in
respect of or in connection with any such loan or liability shall be a
charge on the Consolidated Fund. 
(2) Notice of any loans, liabilities or advances made or
incurred under the foregoing provisions of this article shall be
given to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable. 
(3) Pending the raising of any such loan as is mentioned in
subarticle (1) of this article, or for the purpose of providing the
Authority with working capital, the Minister responsible for
finance may, by warrant under his hand, and without further
appropriation other than this Act, authorise the Accountant General
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  9
to make advances to the Authority out of the Treasury Clearance
Fund under such terms as may be specified by the Minister upon
the making thereof. 
(4) The proceeds of any loan raised for the purposes of making
advances to the Authority, and any other moneys to be advanced to
the Authority under this article, shall be paid into a fund specially
established for the purpose and which shall be known as the "Malta
Standards Authority Loan Fund". 
(5) Sums received by the Accountant General from the
Authority in respect of advances made to the Authority under
subarticle (3) of this article shall be paid, as respects of amounts
received by way of repayment into the Treasury Clearance Fund
and, as respects of amount received by way of interest into the
Consolidated Fund.
 Estimates of the 
Authority.
9. (1) The Authority shall cause to be prepared in every
financial year, and shall not later than six weeks after the end of
each such year adopt, estimates of the income and expenditure of
the Authority for the next following financial year: 
Provided that the estimates for the first financial year of
the Authority shall be prepared and adopted within such time as the
Minister may by notice in writing to the Authority specify. 
(2) In the preparation of such estimates the Authority shall
take account of any funds and other monies that may be due to be
paid to it out of the Consolidated Fund during the relevant financial
year, whether by virtue of this Act or an appropriation Act or of any
other law; and the Authority shall so prepare the said estimates as
to ensure that the total revenues of the Authority are at least
sufficient to meet all sums properly chargeable to its revenue
account including, but without prejudice to the generality of that
expression, depreciation. 
(3) The estimates shall be made out in such form and shall
contain such information and such comparison with previous years
as the Minister responsible for finance may direct. 
(4) A copy of the estimates shall, upon their adoption by the
Authority, be sent forthwith by the Authority to the Minister and to
the Minister responsible for finance. 
(5) The Minister shall at the earliest opportunity and not later
than six weeks after he has received a copy of the estimates from
the Authority approve the same with or without amendment after
consultation with the Minister responsible for finance. 
Expenditure to be 
according to 
approved 
estimates.
10. (1) No expenditure shall be made or incurred by the
Authority unless it has been approved by the Minister as provided
in article 9 of this Act. 
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subarticle (1) of this
article-
( a ) until the expiration of six months from the beginning
of a financial year, or until the approval of the
estimates for that year by the Minister, whichever is
the earlier date, the Authority may make or incur
10 ġ CAP. 419. MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY
expenditure for carrying on its functions under this Act
not exceeding in the aggregate one-half of the amount
approved by the Minister for the preceding financial
year; 
( b ) expenditure approved in respect of a head or sub-head
of the estimates may, with the approval of the Minister
given after consultation with the Minister responsible
for finance, be made or incurred in respect of another
head or sub-head of the estimates; 
( c ) in respect of the first financial year closing after the
coming into force of this Act, the Authority may make
or incur expenditure not exceeding in the aggregate
such amounts as the Minister responsible for finance
may, after consultation with the Minister, allow; 
( d ) if in respect of any financial year it is found that the
amount approved by the Minister is not sufficient or a
need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose not
provided for in the estimates, the Authority may adopt
supplementary estimates for approval by the Minister
and in any such case the provisions of this Act
applicable to the estimates shall as near as practicable
apply to the supplementary estimates. 
Publication of 
approved 
estimates.
11. All estimates and supplementary estimates of the Authority
approved by the Minister shall, as soon as practicable, be laid on
the Table of the House.
Accounts and 
audit.
12. (1) The Authority shall cause to be kept proper accounts
and other records in respect of its operations, and shall cause to be
prepared a statement of accounts in respect of each financial year. 
(2) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by an
auditor or auditors to be appointed by the Authority and approved
by the Minister: 
Provided that the Minister responsible for finance may,
after consultation with the Minister, require the books and accounts
of the Authority to be audited or examined by the Auditor General
who shall for the purpose have the power to carry out such physical
checking and other certifications as he may deem necessary. 
(3) After the end of each financial year, and not later than the
date on which the estimates of the Authority are forwarded to the
Minister under article 9 of this Act, the Authority shall cause a
copy of the statement of account duly audited to be transmitted to
the Minister and to the Minister responsible for finance together
with a copy of any report made by the auditors on that statement or
on the accounts of the Authority. 
(4) The Minister shall, as soon as practicable, cause a copy of
every such statement and report to be laid on the Table of the
House.
Deposit of 
revenues and 
payment by the 
Authority.
13. (1) All monies accruing to the Authority shall be paid into
a bank or banks appointed as bankers of the Authority by a
resolution of the Authority. Such monies shall, as far as practicable,
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  11
be paid into any such banks from day to day, except such sum as the
Authority may authorise to be retained to meet petty disbursements
and immediate cash payments. 
(2) All payments out of the funds of the Authority, other than
petty disbursements not exceeding a sum fixed by the Authority,
shall be made by such officer or officers of the authority as the
Authority shall appoint or designate for that purpose. 
(3) Cheques against and withdrawals from any bank account of
the Authority shall be signed by such officer of the Authority as
may be appointed or designated by the Authority for that purpose
and shall be countersigned by the Chairman, or such other member
or officer of the Authority as may be authorised by the Authority
for that purpose.
(4) The Authority shall also make provision with respect to -
( a ) the manner in which and the officer or officers by
whom payments are to be authorised or approved; 
( b ) the title of any account held with the bank or banks
into which the monies of the Authority are to be paid,
and the transfer of funds from one account to the other; 
( c ) the method to be adopted in making payments out of
funds of the Authority;
and generally with respect to any matter which is relevant to the
proper keeping and control of the accounts and books, and the
control of the finance, of the Authority. 
Contracts of supply 
and works.
14. The Authority shall not, except with the approval of the
Minister granted for special reasons and after consultation with the
Minister responsible for finance, award or enter into any contract
for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works,
or for the rendering of services, to or for the benefit of the
Authority, which is estimated by the Authority to exceed three
thousand liri in value, or such other amount as the Minister
responsible for finance may by regulations prescribe, except after
notice of the intention of the Authority to enter into the contract has
been published and competitive tenders have been issued. 
Annual report.
of each financial year, make and transmit to the Minister and to the
Minister responsible for finance a report dealing generally with the
activities of the Authority during that financial year and containing
such information relating to the proceedings and policy of
Authority as either of the said Ministers may from time to time
require. The Minister shall at the earliest opportunity and not later
than eight weeks after he has received a copy of every such report,
or if at any time during the period the House of Representatives is
not in session, within eight weeks from the beginning of the next
following session, cause a copy of every such report to be laid on
the Table of the House of Representatives.
Functions of the 
Authority.
16. The functions of the Authority shall be:
( a ) to make, adopt and publish standards, in relation to
any class, category or type of products and, or,
12 ġ CAP. 419. MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY
services;
( b ) to co-ordinate, monitor and promote standardization
and related activities at the various corporate, national,
regional and international levels, and to supply and, or,
ensure the existence of adequate supporting related
services;
For the purpose of this paragraph, "supporting related services"
include:
(i) promoting the adoption and application of all
aspects of metrology as a necessary adjunct to
standardization;
(ii) ensuring the availability of testing services;
(iii) offering technological advice and consultancy
services to Government, Government agencies
and the private sector;
(iv) setting up and maintaining an international
accreditation programme; and
(v) any other services related to standardization as
may be required;
( c ) to publish lists of standardization bodies that are
recognised by the Authority for the purposes of this
Act;
( d ) to consider all applications for a permit to use a
conformity mark and to grant permits for such
purpose;
( e ) to inform the public of new subjects included in its
standards programme and of the preparation or
amendment of a standard, unless such standard is an
identical or equivalent transposition of an
International or European standard. This information
shall indicate, in particular, whether the standard
concerned:
-  will transpose an international standard without
being the equivalent;
- will be a new national standard; or
- will amend a national standard; and
( f ) to cooperate with National, European, Regional or
other international bodies in the field of
standardization and to exchange information therewith
generally, and in particular to such extent as may be
provided for in any international obligation entered
into by Malta or as may be prescribed;
( g ) to perform such other functions as may be assigned to
it under the provisions of this Act or of any other law.
Variation, 
substitution or 
revocation of 
standards.
17. The power conferred on the Authority to make, adopt and
publish standards shall be construed as including the power,
exercisable  in  like  manner,  to  vary,  substitute  or  revoke  any  such  standard.
MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY ġ CAP. 419.  13
List of standards to 
be published.
18. (1) The Authority shall publish in the Gazette a list of
standards made, adopted or transposed by it together with their
international equivalence, if applicable, and shall in such notices
also indicate where a copy of such standards may be obtained.
(2) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Act or of any
other law, the list of standards mentioned in subarticle (1) of this
article and any standard made, adopted or transposed by the
Authority may be made, published, prescribed or made available to
the public in the English language only.
Conformity mark.
conformity mark in relation to any product and, or, services which
satisfy the standards and fulfil the conditions prescribed in the
standards, conformity to which is being declared.
(2) The Authority shall not grant a permit unless it is furnished
with such proof and it is given such opportunities and facilities as
may be reasonably necessary in order that the Authority may
satisfy itself that the product and, or, services in relation to which
the application has been made qualify for such permit.
(3) In any permit granted in relation to any product and, or,
service, the Authority besides describing such product and, or,
service shall also:-
( a ) name the person to whom the permit is granted;
( b ) state the country where the said goods are produced,
manufactured or processed; and
( c ) specify the standards applicable to the said product
and, or, services:
Provided that, when there have been no changes in the
other circumstances which justified the grant of a permit, the
Authority shall in regard to any such permit authorize, on
application, the substitution of the person named therein as will be
proved to be necessary.
(4) For the purpose of this Act the particulars referred to in
paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ) of the last foregoing subarticle shall be
deemed to form part of the description of the product and, or,
service to which they refer.
Access to factories 
and taking of 
samples.
20. (1) Officers authorized in writing to that effect by the
Authority shall at all reasonable times have access for the purposes
of this Act to any place where goods and, or, services in respect of
which there is in force a permit are produced, manufactured or
processed, and they shall be entitled to inspect such place, to
examine such goods and to take samples thereof in the manner
prescribed by the Minister.
(2) Any person who denies the said right of access in any such
place to an officer authorized as aforesaid or in any such place
hinders or obstructs him in the discharge of his duties shall be
guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction by the Court
of Magistrates to a fine ( multa ) of not less than fifty liri and not
exceeding two hundred liri or to imprisonment for a term from one
to three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
14 ġ CAP. 419. MALTA STANDARDS AUTHORITY
Power to Minister 
to make 
regulations.
21. The Minister, after consultation with the Authority, may
from time to time make regulations:
( a ) prescribing the mark or symbol that is to be used to
indicate conformity with any standard;
( b ) prescribing the manner and form in which any
application for a conformity mark shall be made, the
information which such application is to contain, and
the fees payable in respect thereof;
( c ) prescribing the manner and form in which permits
shall be issued by the Authority and the fees payable in
respect thereof;
( d )  prescribing the manner of registration of permits
issued under this Act;
( e ) prescribing the manner in which samples of products
shall be taken;
( f ) providing for the publication of draft standards and the
manner in which the public can make representations
thereon to the Authority;
( g ) prescribing the fees or charges that may be charged in
respect of any service provided by the Authority under
this Act;
( h ) prescribing anything that is or may be prescribed
under this Act; and
( i ) generally for the better carrying out of the objects and
purposes of this Act.
Saving.
Cap. 187 - 
Repealed.
22. (1) Regulations made under the Malta Standardisation
Authority Act shall continue in force as if made under the
provisions of this Act and may be amended and revoked
accordingly.
(2) The Authority established under the Malta Standardisation
Authority Act shall continue in being as the Authority established
under this Act. 
(3) Any Standard Order made under the Malta Standardisation
Authority Act shall continue in force as if it were a Standard Order
made under this Act and may be amended or revoked accordingly.
