(1) In considering whether a person may be required to be designated as an operator of essential services, a competent authority may request information from the person which the competent authority reasonably believes it requires for the purpose of deciding whether to designate that person as an operator of essential services.

(2) Where a competent authority proposes to designate a person as an operator of essential services, the competent authority shall notify the person in writing accordingly -

(a) stating the reasons why the person is proposed to be designated,

(b) specifying the category of sector and, where appropriate, subsector and the essential service in respect of which the person is to be so designated, and

(c) giving the person an opportunity to make representations in writing to the competent authority in respect of the proposed designation within 15 working days of the date of the notification.

(3) The competent authority shall consider any representations made by a person under paragraph (2) and shall, within 20 working days of the earlier of -

(a) the receipt of the representations, or