How to prepare a HVNL Chain of Responsibility compliance policy

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), the only defence to a breach is if you took 'all reasonable steps' to prevent the occurrence of the breach. Some of the matters that a Court may take into account in weighing up whether you have taken all reasonable steps include steps taken by you to:

• manage, reduce or eliminate a potential contravention;
• exercise supervision or control over others involved in the supply chain;
• include compliance assurance conditions in your arrangements with others involved in the supply chain;
• maintain work systems to enable compliance with the HVNL; and
• address and remedy past breaches.

Preparing and implementing a Chain of Responsibility (CoR) compliance policy can help you satisfy the above requirements. But, what should be included in your policy?