If an inspector is of the opinion that a person is failing to comply with section 9(1), he may serve on the person a notice which—
states that he is of that opinion,
specifies the respects in which he considers the person is failing to comply with that provision,
specifies the steps he considers need to be taken in order to comply with the provision,
specifies a period for the taking of those steps, and
explains the effect of subsections (2) and (3).
Where a notice under subsection (1) ("an improvement notice") is served, no proceedings for an offence under section 9(1) may be instituted before the end of the period specified for the purposes of subsection (1)(d) ("the compliance period") in respect of—
the non-compliance which gave rise to the notice, or
any continuation of that non-compliance.
If the steps specified in an improvement notice are taken at any time before the end of the compliance period, no proceedings for an offence under section 9(1) may be instituted in respect of—
the non-compliance which gave rise to the notice, or
any continuation of that non-compliance prior to the taking of the steps specified in the notice.
An inspector may extend, or further extend, the compliance period specified in an improvement notice.