Business Diary: UK Regulations - May 2016
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.
2nd
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The UK government has launched a consultation on proposals to end unfair tipping practices and increase transparency for consumers and employees.
Response Deadline: 27th June 2016
3rd
Compliance Guidance
Law Guide: The Competition and Markets Authority has published new guidance on the redress options available to businesses and individuals in respect of competition law breaches.
Published Date: 3rd May 2016
Compliance Guidance
Legal Guide: The Centre for Fisheries, Environment and Aquaculture Science has launched a new online regulatory toolbox for the aquaculture industry in England.
Published Date: 3rd May 2016
4th
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Enterprise Act, which contains measures to cut red tape for businesses and tackle late payment, received Royal Assent on 4 May 2016.
Published Date: 4th May 2016
Business Laws
New Regulation: New legislation which will, among other things, impose a six-month time limit for industrial action, received Royal Assent on 4 May 2016.
Published Date: 4th May 2016
5th
Business Laws
Regulation Update: Changes have been introduced to the Housing and Planning Bill at third reading to clarify when 'permission in principle' (PiP) will take effect and how long it will last.
Published Date: 5th May 2016
9th
Regulator Services
Government Services: On 9 May 2016, the number of Northern Ireland government departments was reduced from 12 to nine in the biggest central government reorganisation in 16 years.
Published Date: 9th May 2016
10th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The UK government has launched a call for evidence on the obstacles black and minority ethnic people face in the labour market
Response Deadline: 22nd August 2016
11th
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has published the outcome of the consultation on proposed legal drafting for the Smart Energy Code, Gas and Electricity supply licences and Electricity Distribution Licences.
Published Date: 11th May 2016
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: The Court of Appeal has issued a ruling restoring a government policy which means that builders developing sites of fewer than 10 homes will no longer have to make an affordable homes contribution.
Ruling Date: 11th May 2016
12th
Business Laws
Government Activity: The UK government has announced new rules which will make the process of awarding public contracts visible from start to finish as part of its Open Government National Action Plan for 2016-18.
Published Date: 12th May 2016
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Parliament has voted to approve a resolution to improve the enforcement of the EU’s common minimum parental leave rules and has recommended that the minimum duration of unpaid parental leave be extended from 4 to 6 months.
Published Date: 12th May 2016
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Immigration Act, which includes measures to crack down on the employment and exploitation of illegal migrants, received Royal Assent on 12 May 2016.
Published Date: 12th May 2016
13th
Regulator Services
IP Services: The Intellectual Property Office is proposing to stop notifying inventors, who are not applicants, when they have been mentioned in a patent application and is inviting comments on this change until 30 June 2016.
Response Deadline: 30th June 2016
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Commission has proposed to limit workplace exposure to 13 cancer-causing chemicals by including new or amended limit values in the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive.
Published Date: 13th May 2016
Regulator Services
Sector Reforms: The Gambling Commission’s system for operators to manage their online accounts has been revamped. Changes include a new more readable interface, more information on the operators’ hub page, and a simplified system for obtaining a copy of a licence.
Published Date: 13th May 2016
Regulator Services
Legal Services: A subidiary of Gibraltar-domiciled Elite Insurance has joined a growing number of entities, including BT and Crabtree as well as several local authorities, in receiving an alternative business structure (ABS) licence from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Published Date: 13th May 2016
EU Laws
EU Regulation: A new EU Regulation, which took effect on 13 May 2016, set the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for guazatine at 0.05 mg/kg, effectively banning EU member states from importing citrus from third countries which have been treated with the substance.
Start Date: 13th May 2016
17th
Legal Statistics - Opportunities
Law Statistics: Up to 70% of commercial building owners in Scotland have yet to complete an energy efficiency plan as required by upcoming energy efficiency regulations, according to new research from Tuffin Ferraby Taylor.
Published Date: 17th May 2016
Regulator Services
Regulator Activity: The Solicitors Regulation Authority has announced that it will scrap annual diversity surveys and make them biennial in order to ease the regulatory burden on smaller firms.
Published Date: 17th May 2016
Business Laws
Regulator Activity: The Competition and Markets Authority has unveiled proposals to improve competition with respect to personal current accounts and SME banking services.
Published Date: 17th May 2016
18th
Business Laws
New Regulation: The government has announced that it will legislate to open up markets, boost competition and give consumers greater power and choice through faster switching.
Published Date: 18th May 2016
Business Laws
New Regulation: The UK government has announced a new Bill which will, among other things, upgrade digital infrastructure and make it easier for telecoms customers switch providers as well as cracking down on nuisance calls.
Published Date: 18th May 2016
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Welsh government will be granted additional powers over energy, transport and elections under a revised version of the Wales Bill.
Published Date: 18th May 2016
19th
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: The High Court has rejected a challenge by Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International to UK legislation mandating standardised packaging for cigarettes.
Ruling Date: 19th May 2016
Business Laws
New Regulation: The UK government has unveiled new legislation which will restrict the ability of local planning authorities to insist on pre-commencement planning conditions.
Published Date: 18th May 2016
Business Laws
IP Regulation: The UK government has announced plans to adopt proposals which will, among other things, protect retailers, suppliers and customers against unjustified threats and protect professional legal advisers from facing legal action for making threats on behalf of their clients.
Published Date: 18th May 2016
20th
Business Laws
New Regulation: From 20 May 2016, all cigarette packaging must be standardised and include graphic health warnings and advertising of e-cigarettes or their refill containers will be banned.
Start Date: 20th May 2016
23rd
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: Nearly three quarters (71%) of claimants avoided going to court after using Acas' conciliation service, according to new research from the regulator
Published Date: 23rd May 2016
24th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The UK government has launched a call for evidence on ways to improve consumer choice, including improving advice and representation and accelerating supplier switching.
Response Deadline: 23rd June 2016
25th
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Commission has announced proposals, including clamping down on geoblocking, to make it easier for consumers and companies to buy and sell products online.
Published Date: 25th May 2016
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Commission has announced a proposed new Audio-visual Media Services (AVMS) Directive, under which providers of on-demand audio-visual media services will be required to ensure that "European works" make up at least 20% of material in their catalogues.
Published Date: 25th May 2016
26th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The UK government has launched a call for evidence on possible ways to improve the UK’s test environment for connected and autonomous vehicle (CAVs).
Response Deadline: 31st July 2016
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: The UK government has published the outcome of the consultation on consumer protection measures with respect to the re-sale of tickets for entertainment and sporting events.
Published Date: 26th May 2016
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a consultation on draft guidance on how it uses its consumer powers and enforces consumer protection law as well as its investigatory powers.
Response Deadline: 21st July 2016
27th
Business Laws
Regulator Activity: Two cloud storage companies have committed to providing fairer terms and conditions for their customers following the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) consumer law review into the sector and the CMA is continuing to work with other firms to make their terms and practices fairer.
Published Date: 27th May 2016
31st
Court Rulings
EU Ruling: Employers may impose a ban on headscarves in the workplace if it is based on a general company rule prohibiting political, philosophical and religious symbols from being worn visibly, according to the advocate general at the EU court of justice.
Published Date: 31st May 2016
