(1) For the purpose of providing practical guidance as regards compliance by operators of essential services and relevant digital service providers with their obligations under these Regulations, the Minister may, from time to time and following consultation with such persons (if any) as he or she considers appropriate, issue guidelines.

(2) Before issuing guidelines under this Regulation, the Minister shall publish on the internet a draft of the proposed guidelines and shall give persons a period of 30 working days from the date of the publication of the draft within which to make written representations to him or her in relation to that draft.

(3) The Minister may, having considered any relevant representations received under paragraph (3), issue the guidelines with or without modification.

(4) The guidelines shall specify the date on which they are to come into operation.

(5) The Minister may, following consultation with such persons (if any) as he or she considers appropriate, amend or revoke guidelines published under this Regulation.

(6) The Minister shall publish the guidelines and, where they have been amended, the guidelines as so amended, on the internet.