140Responsible accreditation authority

140 Responsible accreditation authority

(1)  The accreditation authority that –

(a) appoints a person as a biosecurity auditor; or

(b) grants accreditation to a person as a biosecurity certifier –

is the responsible accreditation authority in relation to that appointment or accreditation.

(2)  If an accreditation authority other than the relevant responsible accreditation authority –

(a) renews a biosecurity auditor's appointment as a biosecurity auditor; or

(b) renews a biosecurity certifier's accreditation as a biosecurity certifier –

the accreditation authority that renews the appointment or accreditation is then taken to be the responsible accreditation authority in relation to that appointment or accreditation.

(3)  For the purposes of this Act, the Secretary may, but is not required to, perform any of the functions of the responsible accreditation authority in relation to an appointment or accreditation for which there is a responsible accreditation authority.

(4)  If a responsible accreditation authority ceases to be an accreditation authority in respect of an appointment, or accreditation, for which it is a responsible accreditation authority –

(a) the accreditation authority ceases to be the responsible accreditation authority in respect of the appointment or accreditation; and

(b) the functions of a responsible accreditation authority in respect of the appointment or accreditation may be performed by –

(i) an accreditation authority approved by the Secretary to perform those functions in respect of the appointment or accreditation; or

(ii) an accreditation authority approved by the Secretary as the responsible accreditation authority in respect of the appointment or accreditation; or

(iii) if no accreditation authority has been so approved under subparagraph (i) or (ii) , the Secretary.