Business Diary: UK Regulations - January 2013
Currently, two to three new Regulation entries are added to the Archive each day. Regulation Watch covers business related topics such as new legislation, changes in legislation, consultations and regulatory body announcements.
3rd
Business Laws
Contracts under which employees will be given shares in exchange for waiving certain employment rights will be introduced in April 2013.
Implementation Deadline: 6th April 2013
Business Laws
The right to unpaid parental leave will increase from 13 weeks to 18 weeks.
Implementation Deadline: 8th March 2013
Regulator Services
Employers who register with the DBS will be able to apply for access to criminal records checks.
Implementation Deadline: 1st March 1970
Rates & Reliefs
The standard rate of statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay will increase from £135.45 to £136.78 per week.
Implementation Deadline: 7th April 2013
Rates & Reliefs
The standard rate of statutory sick pay will increase from £85.85 to £86.70 per week.
Implementation Deadline: 6th April 2013
Court Rulings
A High Court has ruled that Christians cannot refuse to work on Sundays.
Implementation Deadline: 3rd February 2013
4th
EU Laws
Sales of illegal timber will be banned in the EU and businesses will be legally required to carry out due diligence on all products prior to purchase.
Implementation Deadline: 1st March 2013
9th
Business Laws
Large private commercial buildings with an EPC must display them in public view or risk fines.
Implementation Deadline: 9th January 2013
11th
Regulation Consultations
Pensions Regulator consultation on new rules for work-based defined contribution pension schemes.
Response Deadline: 28th March 2013
Business Laws
Non-EU drivers must prove they have passed an appropriate driving test before they can receive a UK licence.
Implementation Deadline: 11th January 2013
15th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultations: The Department of Energy and Climate Change consults on the balance of competences for energy policy.
Response Deadline: 15th January 2013
Court Rulings
Court of Appeal ruling on cooling off period for consumer contracts.
Ruling Date: 15th January 2013
Court Rulings
EU Court ruling on the banning of religious symbols and employee rights.
Implementation Deadline: 15th January 2013
Regulatory Deadlines
Deadline for the registration of chemicals substances supplied at 100 tonnes per annum or over.
Registration Deadline: 1st June 2013
22nd
Crackdowns & Amnesty
The maximum compensatory award for unfair dismissal will increase from £72,300 to £74,200.
Implementation Deadline: 1st February 2013
Rates & Reliefs
Guaranteed pay will increase from £23.50 per day to £24.20.
Implementation Deadline: 1st February 2013
24th
Business Laws
Publication of new rules to improve regulation of age restricted products and reduce red tape.
Implementation Deadline: 24th January 2013
25th
Business Laws
The FSA has amended hygiene rules to reduce the number of inspections for firms with a good compliance record.
Implementation Deadline: 1st March 2013
28th
Regulation Consultations
Government consultation on whether more flexibility is needed in the way pension scheme liabilities are calculated.
Response Deadline: 7th March 2013
29th
Court Rulings
Court of Appeal ruling on criminal record disclosure laws and individuals' privacy rights.
Ruling Date: 29th January 2013
30th
Regulation Consultations
Government consultation on proposals to simplify and streamline the regulation of the recruitment sector.
Response Deadline: 11th April 2013
31st
Court Rulings
Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling on employers' legal requirements when making disabled employees return to work.
Ruling Date: 31st January 2013
Business Laws
A 'genuine entrepreneur' test will be introduced for foreign entrepreneurs coming to the UK.
Implementation Deadline: 31st January 2013
