Statute Details
- Title: Newspaper and Printing Presses (Exemption) (Events approved by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) Notification
- Act Code: NPPA1974-N5
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary legislation (Notification)
- Authorising Act: Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (Chapter 206), Section 34
- Notification Citation: G.N. No. S 189/1987
- Revised Edition: Revised Edition 1990 (25 March 1992)
- Commencement: 10 July 1987 (as indicated in the document)
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Provisions: Paragraph/Section 2 (Exemption for publications for STPB-approved events); Section 3 (Revocation by notice)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Newspaper and Printing Presses (Exemption) (Events approved by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) Notification is a targeted legal instrument that creates a narrow exemption from the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act for certain publications produced in connection with tourism-related events. In plain terms, it allows organisers (or any person) to publish materials for conferences, exhibitions, and similar events—provided those events are approved by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB)—without being subject to the Act’s requirements, but only once an exemption notice is given to STPB.
The Notification does not broadly deregulate newspaper and printing activities. Instead, it operates as a procedural and conditional carve-out. It is designed to facilitate event-related publication—such as brochures, catalogues, programmes, and promotional materials—where the publication is connected to an event that STPB has approved. The exemption is effective from the date written notice is given to STPB, meaning the legal benefit is tied to compliance with a notification mechanism.
Because this is a subsidiary legislation made under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act, it should be read alongside the Act itself. The Act generally regulates the printing and publication of newspapers and related materials, including licensing or other controls (depending on how the Act defines “newspaper” and the scope of its regulatory scheme). This Notification provides that, for a specific category of publications and events, the Act’s provisions do not apply—subject to the conditions and the possibility of revocation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Citation (Section 1)
The Notification provides its own citation: it may be cited as the “Newspaper and Printing Presses (Exemption) (Events approved by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) Notification.” While this seems purely formal, citation provisions matter in practice because they identify the exact instrument that confers the exemption. For compliance teams, counsel, and event organisers, correct citation is essential when documenting regulatory position, responding to queries, or preparing submissions to authorities.
2. Exemption for publications for STPB-approved events (Section 2)
The core operative provision is Section 2. It states that publications published by any person for the purposes of conferences, exhibitions and other events approved by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board shall be exempted from the provisions of the Act.
Two practical conditions are embedded in this provision:
- Purpose and connection: the publication must be “for the purposes of” the relevant event. This language is broad enough to cover materials that are reasonably connected to the event’s conduct or promotion (for example, event programmes, exhibition catalogues, conference proceedings if published for the event, and similar materials). However, the connection must be genuine and event-related.
- STPB approval of the event: the conference, exhibition, or other event must be approved by STPB. This is a substantive gatekeeping requirement. If the event is not approved, the exemption does not apply.
Most importantly, the exemption is not automatic. It applies with effect from the date on which written notice of the exemption is given to STPB. This means that even if the event is approved, the legal exemption becomes effective only when the relevant written notice is provided to STPB. Practitioners should therefore treat the written notice requirement as a compliance step that should be completed before publication (or at least before relying on the exemption).
3. Revocation by notice (Section 3)
Section 3 provides that an exemption in respect of any of the publications referred to in Section 2 may be revoked at any time by written notice to STPB. This provision introduces an ongoing regulatory risk: even after an exemption has been granted (or, more accurately, after written notice has been given and the exemption has taken effect), STPB retains the ability to revoke.
From a legal risk management perspective, revocation raises questions practitioners should consider:
- Timing and consequences: the Notification does not specify whether revocation operates prospectively or retrospectively. In practice, counsel should assume that revocation could affect the regulatory status of future distribution or use of the publication, and should seek clarification from STPB if revocation occurs.
- Grounds for revocation: the Notification does not list grounds. Therefore, the revocation power is discretionary and may be exercised based on policy, compliance concerns, or changes in event circumstances.
- Documentation: event organisers and publishers should keep records of STPB approval and the written notice given to STPB, including dates and copies of submissions.
4. Interaction with the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act
Although the Notification is short, its practical effect depends on the scope of the Act. The Notification exempts the specified publications from “the provisions of the Act.” That phrase is significant: it suggests that, for the exempted publications, the Act’s regulatory requirements do not apply. However, the exemption is limited to the category described in Section 2. If a publication falls outside that category—e.g., it is not for an STPB-approved event, or it is not genuinely event-purpose—the exemption would not protect it.
Accordingly, lawyers should advise clients to conduct a classification exercise: determine whether the publication is a “publication” within the meaning of the Act and whether it is clearly “for the purposes of” the approved event. If there is any doubt, counsel may recommend seeking guidance from STPB or considering whether other exemptions or compliance pathways exist under the Act and its other notifications.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Notification is structured in a simple, three-part format:
- Section 1 (Citation): identifies the short title of the Notification.
- Section 2 (Publications for STPB-approved events): creates the exemption and sets the conditions for when it takes effect (including the written notice requirement to STPB).
- Section 3 (Revocation by notice): provides STPB with the power to revoke the exemption by written notice.
Because the Notification is concise, it functions primarily as a legal “switch” that modifies the application of the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act for a defined scenario. The detailed regulatory mechanics—such as what the Act requires in general—are found in the Act itself, not in this Notification.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Notification applies to any person who publishes materials for the purposes of conferences, exhibitions, and other events that have been approved by STPB. This breadth is important: it is not limited to event organisers, STPB-approved vendors, or specific classes of publishers. It can cover publishers, printers, marketing agencies, and other parties involved in producing event-related publications.
However, the exemption is conditional. It applies only where the event is STPB-approved and where written notice of the exemption is given to STPB, with effect from the date that notice is given. Additionally, the exemption can be revoked at any time by written notice to STPB. Therefore, the practical applicability is best understood as a compliance framework for event-related publishing activities, rather than a blanket permission.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
For practitioners advising event organisers, publishers, and printing contractors, the Notification is significant because it provides a pathway to reduce regulatory friction for event publications. Without an exemption, the Act’s requirements could impose licensing, procedural steps, or other constraints that may be impractical for time-sensitive event materials. The exemption supports the operational realities of conferences and exhibitions, where publication timelines are often tight.
At the same time, the Notification’s design means counsel must manage compliance carefully. The exemption is effective only after written notice is given to STPB, and it can be revoked. These features create a compliance timeline and a continuing risk profile. Lawyers should therefore ensure that:
- STPB approval is obtained for the event before relying on the exemption;
- written notice of the exemption is submitted to STPB and dated appropriately;
- the publication remains within scope (i.e., it is genuinely for the purposes of the approved event); and
- records are maintained to evidence compliance and to respond quickly if STPB raises questions or revokes the exemption.
Finally, the Notification illustrates how Singapore’s regulatory approach can be both structured and flexible: the Act provides general regulation, while subsidiary notifications carve out specific circumstances. For legal research and practice, this means that the correct answer to “Do we need to comply with the Act?” may depend not only on the nature of the publication, but also on the event context and whether the relevant authority has approved the event and been notified in writing.
Related Legislation
- Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (Chapter 206), Section 34 (authorising provision for exemptions via notifications)
- Printing Presses Act (noted in the provided metadata as related legislation)
- Legislation Timeline (for version control and amendment history reference)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Newspaper and Printing Presses (Exemption) (Events approved by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board) Notification for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.