Business Diary: UK Regulations - January 2014
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.
1st
Business Laws
New Regulation: Reforms to defamation law, making changes to the obligations of website operators , will come into effect from 1 January 2014.
Start Date: 1st January 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: Legislation on the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment will come into force in January 2014.
Start Date: 1st January 2014
Regulator Services
License Services: The Security Industry Authority will stop issuing paper-based licence applications from January 2014.
Start Date: 1st January 2014
Rates & Reliefs
Rate Change: The latest thresholds for public contract regulations came into effect from 1 January 2014.
Start Date: 1st January 2014
EU Laws
New Regulation: New legislation to prevent the entry of counterfeit goods on the EU market take effect from January 2014.
Start Date: 1st January 2014
2nd
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: ICO launches a consultation on a proposed new complaint handling procedure for data protection breaches.
Published Date: 18th December 2013
3rd
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: OFT launches a consultation on changes to the proposed hotel room online booking commitments.
Published Date: 20th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Health and Safety Executive consults on an amendment to the REACH regulations relating to Dichloromethane Paint-Strippers.
Response Deadline: 3rd January 2014
Compliance Guidance
Export Guide: BIS publishes updated guidance on international trade regulations affecting the import and export of electronic goods.
Published Date: 2nd January 2014
6th
Regulator Services
New Scheme: The launch of the GPPH has been announced and will commence in January 2014.
Implementation Deadline: 1st January 2014
8th
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: BIS publishes the outcome of the consultation on measures to make public procurement more accessible to SMEs.
Published Date: 7th December 2013
9th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Home Office consults on proposed changes to legislation relating to control of the sale of non-medicinal poisons.
Response Deadline: 9th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Home Office consults on the implementation of EU legislation on the marketing and use of explosives precursors.
Response Deadline: 9th January 2014
Legal Statistics
Tribunal Statistics: Unfair dismissal and other claims against employers fell by 55% following the introduction of tribunal fees.
Published Date: 23rd December 2013
10th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: DEFRA consults on new measures, including tougher enforcement action against farmers, to reduce the risk of bovine TB.
Response Deadline: 10th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs consults on increasing the fees for National Listing and PBR.
Response Deadline: 10th January 2014
Regulator Services
New Scheme: HMRC has launched a new scheme to verify the authenticity of UK spirit drinks, starting with Scotch whisky.
Start Date: 10th January 2014
Compliance Guidance
Legal Guide: BIS updates guidance on environmental regulations to reflect the implementation of the WEEE regulations.
Published Date: 9th January 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Government has announced proposals to simplify reporting requirements for farming businesses on livestock movements.
Published Date: 7th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government consults on possible measures to enhance the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles.
Response Deadline: 10th January 2014
15th
Rates & Reliefs
Penalty Rate Change: The maximum fine for employers failing to pay the minimum wage will increase from £5,000 to £20,000 in February 2014.
Published Date: 15th January 2014
EU Laws
New Regulation: The EU Commission has adopted new guidelines for Member States on the provision of aid to SMEs and mid cap businesses.
Published Date: 15th January 2014
Rates & Reliefs
Rate Change: The Gambling Commission has implemented changes to the stake and prize limits of some gaming machines.
Start Date: 15th January 2014
16th
Legal Statistics
Pensions Statistics: According to Sage, 30% of SMEs are not planning to seek pensions advice ahead of the dates for automatic enrolment.
Published Date: 9th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: BIS publishes the outcome of the consultation on how the Competition and Markets Authority will work in practice.
Published Date: 10th January 2014
17th
Compliance Guidance
Regulator Warning: The Gambling Commission has issued a warning to gaming machine suppliers to ensure that they are properly licensed.
Published Date: 7th January 2014
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The European Parliament has agreed on an amended package of EU Directives aimed at opening up public procurement.
Published Date: 15th January 2014
Regulator Services
Regulator Activity: The Bank of England has announced plans to withdraw from circulation the Sir John Houblon £50 note.
Published Date: 16th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: DECC launches a consultation on the energy industry code and licence modifications required as a result of the EMR.
Published Date: 17th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: The Office of Fair Trading is consulting on changes to the proposed hotel room online booking commitments.
Response Deadline: 17th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills consults on a review of the balance of competencies for employment.
Response Deadline: 17th January 2014
20th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government launches a consultation on proposals on the reproduction of works when rights holders cannot be found.
Published Date: 10th January 2014
Legal Statistics
IP Statistics: More than 265,000 patents were filed at the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2013, according to official figures.
Published Date: 16th January 2014
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Commission announces proposals to improve the job search network in order to boost recruitment and support employers.
Published Date: 17th January 2014
Compliance Guidance
IT Security Guide: ICAEW publishes Government-backed guidance for the corporate finance community on cyber security risks and best practice.
Published Date: 16th January 2014
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU has signed an agreement with China to collaborate on regulation and other matters relating to intellectual property.
Published Date: 16th January 2014
21st
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: DEFRA publishes the outcome of the consultation on implementing reforms to CAP in order to enhance support for the farming sector.
Published Date: 19th December 2013
22nd
Business Laws
New Regulation: New legislation to simplify environmental regulation and enhance SEPA's enforcement powers has been approved.
Published Date: 16th January 2014
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Commission announces proposals to align sanctions for customs infringements across the 28 member states.
Published Date: 13th December 2014
EU Laws
Trade Sanctions: Legislation lifting certain restrictions on trade in crude oil, gold, precious metals and petrochemical products has come into effect.
Published Date: 20th January 2014
23rd
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: ACAS publishes the outcome of the consultation on a new Code of Practice and guidance on flexible working.
Published Date: 22nd January 2014
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: The Court of Appeals rules on guarantors' liability for obligations in a lease where changes have been made without their consent.
Ruling Date: 21st January 2014
Compliance Guidance
Scheme Guide: The Cabinet Office issues updated guidance on the scope and remit of the mystery shopper scheme for suppliers.
Published Date: 23rd January 2014
24th
Regulator Services
Food Safety Services: The FSA launches the Independent Business Appeals Panel and a new appeals guidance section on its website.
Start Date: 24th January 2014
Business Laws
Regulation Update: The right to request flexible working will not be introduced in April 2014 due to delays to the Children and Families Bill.
Published Date: 22nd January 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Government has announced proposals to reduce regulatory requirements for insolvency practitioners.
Published Date: 24th January 2014
27th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: DEFRA launches a consultation on proposals to revoke and replace legislation relating to quality standards for meat.
Published Date: 23rd January 2014
28th
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to recently released figures, the Red Tape Challenge is saving firms £300 million per year.
Published Date: 27th January 2014
Compliance Guidance
Employment Law Guide: The Department for Business Innovation and Skills issues updated guidance on the revised transfer regulations.
Published Date: 15th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: HSE launches a consultation on exempting turban wearing employees in any industry from the need to wear protective headgear.
Published Date: 27th January 2014
29th
Compliance Guidance
Health and Safety Guide: The Government issues revised guidance on managing the risks of employees working at height.
Published Date: 28th January 2014
Regulator Services
Waste Services: The Environment Agency has launched a new online system for businesses to record waste transfer notes.
Start Date: 29th January 2014
Legal Statistics
Regulator Statistics: The number of data breaches reported to ICO in Q3 2013 was nearly double the number reported in Q1 2013.
Published Date: 28th January 2014
30th
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Regulator Crackdown: The Office of Fair Trading has published new principles as part of a crackdown on the online games industry.
Published Date: 30th January 2014
Compliance Guidance
Regulator Guide: The EU has published a new handbook on European data protection laws.
Published Date: 30th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government calls for evidence on possible changes to the process for modifying water and sewerage company licenses.
Response Deadline: 30th January 2014
31st
Compliance Guidance
Equality Guide: VisitEngland and EHRC publish guidance on business obligations and best practice regarding customers with guide dogs.
Published Date: 30th January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: ICO is consulting on a proposed new complaint handling procedure for data protection breaches.
Response Deadline: 31st January 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission consults on the authenticity labelling system for leather products.
Response Deadline: 31st January 2014
Regulatory Deadlines
Returns Deadline: SEPA has extended the deadline for farmers and land managers to submit their irrigation data returns to 31 January 2014.
Submission Deadline: 31st January 2014
