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: N 5
- G.N. No.: S 189/1987
- Revised Edition: 1990 RevEd (25 March 1992)
- Commencement: As provided in the notification; exemptions take effect from the date written notice is given to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions: Section/Paragraph 2 (Publications for STPB-approved events); Paragraph 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 exemption instrument issued under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (Cap. 206). In plain terms, it allows certain publications—specifically those produced for conferences, exhibitions, and other events that have been approved by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB)—to be exempted from the requirements of the main Act.
This notification is not a general relaxation of newspaper or printing regulation. Instead, it creates a narrow pathway for event-related publications. The exemption is conditional and procedural: it takes effect only when written notice of the exemption is given to STPB, and it can be revoked at any time by written notice to STPB.
For practitioners, the practical significance lies in how the exemption is triggered and managed. The notification is designed to support legitimate event promotion and information dissemination without imposing the full regulatory burden of the Act on publications that are functionally tied to approved tourism and public-facing events.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Citation (Paragraph 1)
Paragraph 1 provides the short title by which the notification may be cited. While this is standard legislative drafting, it matters for legal referencing in correspondence, submissions, and compliance documentation.
2. Exemption for publications for STPB-approved events (Paragraph 2)
Paragraph 2 is the core operative provision. It states that publications published by any person for the purposes of conferences, exhibitions and other events that are approved by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board shall be exempted from the provisions of the Act.
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, as a matter of compliance practice, the timing of the written notice is critical. If a publisher prints or distributes event materials before the written notice is given (or before the exemption is properly communicated to STPB), the publisher may be exposed to arguments that the exemption has not yet taken effect.
From a legal risk perspective, the phrase “for the purposes of” is also important. It suggests a functional nexus between the publication and the event. Typical examples (not stated in the text, but consistent with the provision’s purpose) could include event programmes, exhibition catalogues, conference brochures, promotional materials, and other printed materials that are clearly intended to support the event. The closer the publication’s content and distribution are tied to the approved event, the stronger the case that it falls within the exemption.
3. Revocation by notice (Paragraph 3)
Paragraph 3 provides that an exemption in respect of the publications referred to in paragraph 2 may be revoked at any time by written notice to STPB. This is a significant compliance and operational consideration.
Practically, revocation means that the exemption is not irrevocable. If STPB revokes the exemption, the publisher may need to reassess whether the publication is still covered and whether any regulatory obligations under the Act become applicable. Because the notification text does not specify the effect of revocation (for example, whether it operates prospectively only, or whether it affects past acts), lawyers should treat revocation as potentially disruptive and should seek clarification where necessary—particularly if distribution has already occurred.
For event organisers and printers, this provision underscores the importance of maintaining documentation: evidence of STPB approval, evidence of the written notice giving effect to the exemption, and records of any subsequent communications that could indicate revocation or changes in event status.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This notification is structured as a short instrument with three numbered provisions:
(1) Citation — sets out the short title for reference purposes.
(2) Publications for STPB-approved events — establishes the exemption and the trigger for when it takes effect (written notice to STPB).
(3) Revocation by notice — provides the mechanism for ending an exemption by written notice to STPB.
There are no parts or schedules. The notification’s brevity reflects its function as a targeted exemption rather than a comprehensive regulatory code. Its legal effect depends on the interplay between the notification and the underlying Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (Cap. 206), which contains the general regulatory framework from which the exemption operates.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notification applies to publications published by any person for the purposes of conferences, exhibitions and other events that are approved by STPB. The wording “any person” is broad and indicates that the exemption is not limited to a particular class of publisher (for example, it is not restricted to licensed newspapers or specific corporate entities). It can therefore be relevant to event organisers, marketing agencies, exhibition contractors, publishers, printers, and other parties involved in producing event-related printed materials.
However, the exemption is conditional. It requires (i) an STPB-approved event, and (ii) written notice of the exemption being given to STPB, which determines when the exemption takes effect. Accordingly, the practical “applicability” of the notification is best understood as a two-step compliance pathway: confirm STPB approval for the event, and ensure that the exemption notice is properly submitted so that the exemption is effective from the intended date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the notification is short, it is important because it provides a legally recognised route to reduce regulatory friction for event-related publications. In the context of conferences and exhibitions, printed materials are often time-sensitive and operationally integrated into event planning. Without an exemption, publishers may need to comply with the full set of requirements under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act, which could be burdensome or misaligned with the purpose of event promotion and information dissemination.
For practitioners advising event organisers or printers, the notification offers a compliance tool—but only if used correctly. The requirement that the exemption takes effect from the date written notice is given to STPB means that counsel should advise on timing and documentation. This includes preparing a clear record of what is being published, how it relates to the approved event, and when the notice was submitted.
The revocation provision adds another layer of significance. Because exemptions can be revoked at any time by written notice to STPB, legal advice should include contingency planning. For example, if distribution has begun, counsel may need to consider whether any remedial steps are required, whether distribution should be paused, and how to manage communications with stakeholders (including printers, distributors, and venue operators) if revocation occurs.
In short, the notification is a narrow but practical exemption that supports legitimate event publishing while preserving STPB’s oversight through the notice-and-revocation mechanism. It is therefore a useful instrument for lawyers working on regulatory compliance for event-related media production in Singapore.
Related Legislation
- Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (Cap. 206), particularly Section 34 (authorising the making of exemptions by notification)
- Printing Presses Act (noted in the provided metadata as related legislation)
- Legislation timeline / revisions for the NPPA1974-N5 notification (to confirm the correct version as at the relevant date)
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.