176Power to direct persons to produce documents, operate equipment or answer questions

176 Power to direct persons to produce documents, operate equipment or answer questions (1) An authorised officer who enters any premises under section 169 may direct a person at the premises to— (a) produce a document or part of a document located at the premises that is in the person's possession or control; (b) operate equipment to access information from that equipment; (c) answer any questions put by the authorised officer. (2) A person must not refuse or fail to comply with a direction under subsection (1) unless the person has a reasonable excuse. (3) Before directing a person to produce a document or part of a document or to answer questions under subsection (1), an authorised officer must— (a) warn the person that a refusal or failure to comply with the direction, without reasonable excuse, is an offence; and (b) inform the person that they may refuse or fail to answer any question if answering the question would tend to incriminate them. (4) A person is not liable to be prosecuted for an offence against subsection (2) if the authorised officer concerned failed to comply with section 166 and subsection (3). 1 Before directing a person to do a thing under subsection (1), an authorised officer must also produce their identity card for inspection if asked to do so by any person: See section 166. 2 This section does not affect the privilege against self‑incrimination. See section 212.