Business Diary: UK Regulations - March 2015
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.
5th
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to official data, Acas' Early Conciliation service dealt with 60,855 cases from April - December 2014.
Published Date: 4th March 2015
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to the Food Standards Agency, 56% of Welsh food businesses have received top food hygiene ratings.
Published Date: 4th March 2015
6th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Competition and Markets Authority is consulting on the collection, usage and trading of consumer data.
Response Deadline: 6th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the consultation on measures to prevent avoidance of the ban on exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts.
Published Date: 6th March 2015
Regulator Services
IP Services: The Intellectual Property Office has introduced changes to its online patent information and document service.
Published Date: 2nd March 2015
9th
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Tax Amnesty: Users of HMRC's voluntary disclosure scheme for solicitors must fill in a notification form by 9 March 2015.
Submission Deadline: 9th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: BIS is consulting on giving business representative bodies enhanced powers to challenge grossly unfair terms and practices.
Response Deadline: 9th March 2015
EU Laws
EU Regulation: All 28 EU member states have given their approval to new rules restricting the use of plastic bags.
Published Date: 2nd March 2015
10th
Court Rulings
EU Ruling: An EU court has ruled that brand owners looking to renew their Community trade mark rights cannot "stagger" the renewal over time.
Ruling Date: 4th March 2015
11th
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Parliament has approved new rules for the manufacture of safer and more eco-friendly lorries.
Published Date: 10th March 2015
12th
Compliance Guidance
HR Guide: Acas has published a revised version of its Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance proceedings.
Published Date: 11th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: Outcome of the Government consultation on proposals to reform the Riot (Damages) Act 1886.
Published Date: 12th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: BIS is consulting on proposed changes to the Employment Tribunal postponements procedures.
Response Deadline: 12th March 2015
16th
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to XpertHR, one in five employers is planning to pay enhanced Shared Parental Pay above the statutory minimum.
Published Date: 16th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the consultation on the implementation of a requirement for prescribed persons to report on whistleblowing disclosures.
Published Date: 12th March 2015
17th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Insolvency Service is consulting on the EU Commission's Recommendation on a new approach to business failure and insolvency.
Response Deadline: 17th March 2015
Rates & Reliefs
Rate Change: The Government has announced the new National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates to take effect from October 2015.
Published Date: 17th March 2015
18th
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Government has announced that it will impose a ban on animal testing for household products from October 2015.
Published Date: 12th March 2015
20th
Compliance Guidance
The Information Commissioner's Office is advising companies to be more transparent when explaining how customers' data will be used.
Published Date: 18th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
IP Consultation: The Intellectual Property Office launches a consultation on draft regulations regarding the Design Opinions Service.
Published Date: 19th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the consultation on new regulations for dealing with seized property in regard to waste offences.
Published Date: 19th March 2015
23rd
Compliance Guidance
Legal Guide: The Government has published a new code of practice and guidance for employers in respect of whistleblowing.
Published Date: 20th March 2015
24th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government has launched a consultation on protections for small and micro firms when purchasing goods and services.
Published Date: 24th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Summary of responses to the consultation on secondary legislation allowing for the implementation of the Unified Patent Court.
Published Date: 12th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government has launched a call for evidence on how outcomes from CRCs can be improved for firms and employees.
Published Date: 23rd March 2015
25th
Regulator Services
Service Disruption: Staff at the European Patent Office will go on strike on 25 March 2015.
Event Date: 25th March 2015
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Government Crackdown: The Government has named and shamed a further 48 employers that have failed to pay the National Minimum Wage.
Published Date: 24th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Competition and Markets Authority launches a call for information on the way online reviews and endorsements are used.
Response Deadline: 25th March 2015
26th
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Outcome: Outcome of the Government consultation on proposed amendments to the furniture flammability regulations.
Published Date: 25th March 2015
Compliance Guidance
Law Guide: The Competition and Markets Authority has published new guidance on competition law and high-strength alcohol schemes.
Published Date: 25th March 2015
Business Laws
New Regulation: An amendment to the Deregulation Bill enabling Sikh employees to wear turbans in all workplaces came into effect on 26 March 2015.
Start Date: 26th March 2015
27th
Compliance Guidance
Regulator Guide: The DECC has published new guidance for businesses on how to undertake an Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme audit.
Published Date: 27th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the consultation on the exercise of powers to ensure the continuity of utility and IT services to insolvent firms.
Published Date: 27th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the DCLG consultation on proposals for a small site exemption from the the zero carbon standard.
Published Date: 27th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: DEFRA launches a consultation on amendments to the laws for producer responsibility for batteries and packaging waste.
Published Date: 27th March 2015
Regulation Consultations
Export Consultation: UK Export Finance has launched a consultation on its anti-bribery and corruption policy.
Published Date: 20th March 2015
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act has received Royal Assent.
Published Date: 26th March 2015
30th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Competition and Markets Authority is consulting on draft guidance on the new unfair contract terms provisions in the CRB.
Response Deadline: 30th March 2015
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: The High Court has confirmed that companies wishing to lodge a PCC have up to seven days to serve a claim form after it has been issued.
Ruling Date: 20th March 2015
Business Laws
New Regulation: New legislation introducing a range of new rights for consumers has received Royal Assent.
Published Date: 26th March 2015
31st
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to Squire Patton Boggs, only 17% of employers claim to be “very prepared” for shared parental leave.
Published Date: 27th March 2015
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to new research from Acas, two in five employers improve workplace policies after using the Acas Helpline.
Published Date: 27th March 2015
