Business Diary: UK Regulations - June 2017
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
Regulator Services
From 1 June 2017, a number of changes will be made to UK Visas and Immigration's (UKVI's) customer enquiry service. All phone numbers and service opening hours will change. In addition, customers who contact UKVI via email will be charged.
Start Date: 1st June 2017
5th
Court Rulings
The Northern Irish Court of Appeal recently ordered an immediate custodial sentence for an employer found guilty of the manslaughter of their employee. The ruling shows that the court is now taking a more stringent approach on health and safety offences, in line with the approach taken in England, Wales and Scotland.
Published Date: 5th June 2017
6th
Legal Statistics
Almost a quarter of businesses froze or reduced pay for some workers in order to adapt to the National Living Wage (NLW), according to a new survey from XpertHR. Many also reported that the NLW had impacted pay structures, with more than half finding that pay differentials had been squeezed.
Published Date: 6th June 2017
7th
Court Rulings
The Court of Appeal has rejected a challenge to the guidance used by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to determine whether a misconduct case satisfies the public interest test for disciplinary proceedings. The ruling provides greater clarity for both regulators and regulated entities on the application of the guidance.
Ruling Date: 7th June 2017
9th
EU Laws
EU law enforcement agencies could be given new powers to directly access data held by technology companies to aid terror investigations, according to Reuters. The Commission has said that additional privacy safeguards would accompany new powers of that kind.
Published Date: 9th June 2017
Regulation Consultations
Regulators should have access to any keys necessary to decrypt data that financial firms store in the cloud, the European Securities and Markets Authority has said. They say the measure is necessary to allow regulators to perform their supervisory duties.
Published Date: 9th June 2017
Compliance Guidance
The ICO has issued a revised code of practice on subject access requests. According to the code, organisations that allow the storage of data about employees, customers or contacts on personal devices may be required to compel staff to search those devices for that information in order to comply with UK data protection laws.
Published Date: 9th June 2017
13th
Business Laws
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that it will go ahead with plans to allow solicitors to practise from unauthorised businesses. The SRA has also begun the first phase of changes to its Handbook, which includes easing the Accounts rules to allow greater use of third parties for handling client money.
Published Date: 13th June 2017
Business Laws
UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, has announced that the UK and France have formed a partnership to tackle online radicalisation. Plans include exploring the possibility of creating a new legal liability which would see tech companies fined if they fail to remove unacceptable content.
Published Date: 13th June 2017
14th
Court Rulings
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that it is not a breach of EU law for member states to require mediation before court proceedings in consumer disputes. However, consumers must be able to withdraw from that mediation at any time and without being required to give reasons.
Ruling Date: 14th June 2017
15th
Business Laws
New rules aimed at modernising Scotland's fatal accident inquiries (FAIs) law came into force on 15 June 2017. Under the new rules, people and organisations subject to FAIs will be required to respond to recommendations made by sheriffs, setting out whether they have followed these recommendations or why they have chosen not to do so.
Start Date: 15th June 2017
16th
Rates & Reliefs
The CMA has confirmed that it will raise the figure for markets considered as sufficiently important to warrant a merger reference from £10 million to £15 million. The figure for markets considered not sufficiently important to warrant a merger reference will be raised from £3 million to £5 million.
Published Date: 16th June 2017
EU Laws
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has ruled that bisphenol A, a chemical found in CDs, DVDs, kettles and water bottles, poses a threat to human health. ECHA is now expected to recommend restrictions on the use of bisphenol A under the EU’s Reach regulation, possibly as soon as 2018.
Published Date: 16th June 2017
19th
Legal Statistics - Risks
Over half (54%) of business owners are confused by employment law jargon, according to a new survey conducted on behalf of HR and employment law specialist, Peninsula. Confusion about legal terminology can result in incorrect processes being followed with potentially costly results.
Published Date: 19th June 2017
EU Laws
Poor decision making by the EU could jeopardise the UK's food supply chain and cost farmers more than £1 billion, the National Farmers Union is warning. A possible ban on herbicides containing glyphosate under consideration by the EU could cut farm output by £940 million.
Published Date: 19th June 2017
21st
Business Laws
The second phase of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme is now underway. Qualifying organisations must measure their total energy consumption, conduct audits to identify cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities and report
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
A new Bill has been announced in the Queen’s speech which will promote fairness and transparency in the housing market and ban landlords and agents from requiring tenants to pay letting fees as a condition of their tenancy.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Legal Statistics
According to new research from Webroot, 46% of SMEs subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are uncertain if they will have to remain compliant with GDPR after Brexit and 6% are certain they will not. In addition, 20% of SMEs haven’t started the compliance process.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The government has announced a new Bill which will allow the UK to impose sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans, and trade and market restrictions, after Brexit. The Bill will also ensure that individuals and organisations can challenge or request a review of the sanctions imposed on them.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The UK government has announced a new Bill which will allow it to repeal EU rules on free movement of EU nationals in the UK and make the migration of EU nationals and their dependent subject to relevant UK law after Brexit.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The UK government will introduce legislation to establish the tools needed to deliver the best international trading framework for the UK after Brexit, including an effective trade remedies regime. The Bill also aims to ensure the UK's trade policy reflects the needs and potential of businesses and consumers.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The UK has announced a new bill to update the Air Travel Organisers’ Licence (ATOL) travel protection scheme with a view to enhancing protections for holidaymakers. Companies selling holidays across Europe will be able to trade under the ATOL scheme rather than the regimes in each country they sell to.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The UK government has announced plans to introduce new data protection rules which would give people the "right to be forgotten" when they no longer want a company to process their data. The rules will also modernise data processing procedures for law enforcement agencies.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The UK government has unveiled a new Bill which will require petrol stations and motorway services to install charge points for electric vehicles. The Bill will also extend motor vehicle insurance to cover the use of automated vehicles.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The UK government has announced a new Bill which will create new powers to license a wide range of new commercial spaceflight, including vertically-launched rockets, spaceplanes, satellite operation and spaceports.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
Business Laws
The government has announced in the Queen's speech that it will introduce a Bill to ensure that the UK has responsibility for access to and management of its waters and can set its own fishing quotas after it leaves the EU.
Published Date: 21st June 2017
22nd
Compliance Guidance
The Committee of Advertising Practice has launched a new eLearning module on key rules that apply when creating non-broadcast advertisements for food and soft drink products. The module also covers upcoming restrictions on ads for foods high in fat, salt or sugar.
Published Date: 22nd June 2017
Legal Statistics - Risks
According to a new survey by Palmer and Harvey, the majority of tobacco retailers fear that new rules mandating plain packaging, as well as other changes, will add complexity and cost to their business. Retailers also expect the new rules to drive up demand for e-cigarettes and vaping.
Published Date: 22nd June 2017
23rd
Crackdowns & Amnesty
The UK online gambling industry is facing a crackdown after the Competition and Markets Authority announced that it was taking action against a number of operators suspected of unfairly treating customers and potentially breaching consumer law.
Published Date: 23rd June 2017
26th
Business Laws
New regulations facilitating the functioning and operation of the updated EU Insolvency Regulation entered into force on 26 June 2017. The EU regulation will make it easier for businesses to financially restructure and for creditors to recover their money.
Start Date: 26th June 2017
Business Laws
Following its energy market investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority has announced new measures to prevent energy suppliers from locking micro firms into automatic rollover contracts and make it easier for micro businesses to compare energy prices.
Published Date: 26th June 2017
Regulation Consultations
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is inviting views from all interested stakeholders on proposals to strengthen and modernise the regulatory framework for fish farming in Scotland with a view to minimising the risks to the environment from existing fish farms and future fish farms.
Response Deadline: 31st August 2017
Regulation Consultations
The European Commission is inviting views from all citizens and organisations, including NGOs, trade associations and enterprises, on policy options to reduce the entry of microplastics into the marine environment.
Response Deadline: 16th October 2017
27th
Business Laws
A new Bill setting out a licensing and regulatory framework for UK commercial spaceflight has been introduced into Parliament. The Bill would empower the government to license a wide range of commercial spaceflight activities including vertically-launched rockets, spaceplanes and commercial satellites.
Published Date: 27th June 2017
28th
Business Laws
The Gambling Commission has confirmed that online gambling companies operating in the UK will be required to comply with information security standards which form a subset of standard ISO 27001. Under the standard, operators will be obliged to make it easier for customers to review their "gambling history".
Published Date: 28th June 2017
EU Laws
The EU Commission has published a position paper proposing that all cross-border civil and commercial legal matters started prior to Brexit should continue to operate under EU law after the UK leaves the bloc.
Published Date: 28th June 2017
29th
Business Laws
Legal sector regulators, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority, have published plans to help consumers shop around more effectively for legal services after a CMA market study found that law firms are failing to provide adequate information on price, quality and service.
Published Date: 29th June 2017
30th
Regulator Services
Scheme Update: Scotland's Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has announced that the self-reporting scheme for companies that uncover bribery offences has been extended until 30 June 2017.
Legislation Ending: 30th June 2017
Business Laws
The Financial Conduct Authority has delayed the introduction of new rules restricting the sale of leveraged trading products to retail investors, pending the outcome of an EU review. Measures under consideration by the EU include guaranteed limits on client losses.
Published Date: 30th June 2017
Regulation Consultations
The Competition and Markets Authority is inviting views from all interested stakeholders on a proposed information note setting out the arrangements for handling leniency applications within sectors regulated by members of the UK Competition Network. The UK's leniency system provides amnesty to companies reporting involvement in cartel activity.
Response Deadline: 28th July 2017
Regulation Consultations
The European Commission is inviting views from consumers, businesses, national authorities and other interested stakeholders on possible changes to some key EU consumer law directives. Potential changes include extending some consumer rights to contracts for online services where consumers provide data instead of paying with money.
Response Deadline: 8th October 2017
