Concept
A voluntary undertaking is a commitment a person can offer the Board to take or refrain from certain action, which, if accepted, bars further proceedings on that matter.
The Board may accept a voluntary undertaking in respect of any matter related to observance of the provisions of this Act from any person at any stage of a proceeding under section 28.
Instead of fighting an inquiry, a person can offer the Board a binding commitment to fix or change something. If the Board accepts it, that bars proceedings on the covered matter.
But it has teeth: breaking the undertaking is itself treated as a breach of the Act, and the Board can then proceed to penalties.
During an inquiry, a company undertakes to overhaul its consent flow within ninety days, and the Board accepts, pausing the matter.
What happens if the undertaking is breached?
The breach is deemed a breach of the Act, and the Board may proceed to penalties.
When can it be offered?
At any stage of a proceeding under Section 28.