36 [360] (17) A person on whom a compliance notice has been served shall not— (a) pending the determination of an appeal, deal with a product, place, machinery, equipment or other thing to which the notice relates, other than in accordance with the terms of the compliance notice, or (b) if the notice is confirmed or varied on appeal, deal with a product, place, machinery, equipment or other thing to which the notice relates other than in accordance with the terms of the compliance notice as confirmed or varied. (18) A person who fails to comply with paragraph (17) is guilty of an offence. (19) It shall be a defence in a prosecution for an offence under paragraph (18) for a person to show— (i) that the person took all reasonable steps not to do the action complained of, or (ii) it was not reasonably possible for the person not to do the action complained of. (20) This Regulation shall not operate to prevent or restrict— (a) the entitlement of any person to bring proceedings for the purpose of securing compliance with these Regulations, or (b) the bringing or prosecuting of any proceedings for an offence under these Regulations. Information notice 31. (1) A competent authority may, by notice served on a person, require the person to furnish, in writing, within such period as may be specified in the notice and, if applicable, in the format or manner specified in the notice, such information specified in the notice that the competent authority may reasonably require for the proper performance by the competent authority of its functions under these Regulations. (2) An information notice shall specify the purpose for which it is being served. (3) An information notice shall— (a) inform the person on whom the information notice is served that he or she may appeal against a requirement specified in the notice to the Circuit Court in accordance with this Regulation, and (b) state that if the person on whom the information notice is served fails to comply with the notice, that person commits an offence.