Business Diary: UK Regulations - December 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.
1st
Regulator Services
Regulator Activity: Companies House implements micro-entity accounts to enable micro firms to publish simplified financial statements.
Start Date: 1st December 2013
3rd
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: Workers on permanent placements are not protected under the Agency Workers Regulations, the Employment Appeal Tribunal rules.
Ruling Date: 3rd December 2013
4th
Regulator Services
New Scheme: OHIM launches a database to promote dialogue between brand owners, customs officials and police in a crackdown on counterfeit goods.
Published Date: 18th November 2013
Regulator Services
Service Closure: The Government has announced that the National Fraud Authority will close from March 2014.
Published Date: 3rd December 2013
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Regulator Crackdown: The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets announces new powers to clamp down on rogue energy brokers.
Published Date: 30th November 2013
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: The Court of Appeal rules on the circumstances when a surveyor will owe a duty of care to third parties.
Ruling Date: 4th December 2013
5th
EU Laws
Maritime Laws: The EU has adopted new rules on ship recycling to minimise environmental and safety incidents.
Implementation Deadline: 5th December 2013
Court Rulings
EU Ruling: The EU Court of Justice rules that holiday pay should be calculated to reflect commission payments as well as basic salary.
Ruling Date: 5th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
CoP Consultation: The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service launches a consultation on changes to the Discipline and Grievance Code of Practice (CoP).
Published Date: 5th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission launches a consultation on the review of the EU copyright legislative framework.
Published Date: 5th December 2013
Crackdowns & Amnesty
EU Crackdown: The EU Commission has begun inspecting several companies for antitrust breaches relating to online sales of consumer electronics.
Start Date: 5th December 2013
6th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government launches a consultation on proposed changes to fees for companies seeking redress through the civil courts.
Published Date: 3rd December 2013
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to research by the European Policy Forum, regulators have fined companies more than £500 million in recent years.
Published Date: 11th November 2013
9th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government launches a consultation on alternatives to waste transfer notes and changes to waste carrier rules.
Published Date: 9th December 2013
Legal Statistics
IP Statistics: The number of problematic patent settlements in the EU pharmaceutical sector increased to 183 in 2012 from 120 in 2011.
Published Date: 9th December 2013
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to recently published data, proposed new data protection rules could cost businesses up to £75,000 per year.
Published Date: 4th December 2013
10th
Compliance Guidance
Employment Guide: The EU proposes guidelines for employers on ensuring that traineeships equip young people for permanent employment.
Published Date: 9th December 2013
EU Laws
New Regulation: The EU has given initial approval to proposals to toughen the rules on employing cheap temporary labour.
Published Date: 9th December 2013
11th
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: Employers cannot 'rubber stamp' opinions given by occupational health advisors regarding 'disabled' employees, the Court of Appeal rules.
Published Date: 11th December 2013
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Regulator Crackdown: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have identified and are ready to take action against firms who have not updated insurance position.
Published Date: 11th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission launches a consultation on a certification scheme for recycling treatment facilities.
Published Date: 10th December 2013
Compliance Guidance
Regulation Update: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consolidates five ACOPs on dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres.
Published Date: 9th December 2013
Regulator Services
New Scheme: The Welsh Government has launched a programme aimed at encouraging homes and businesses to effectively manage and prevent waste.
Published Date: 3rd December 2013
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Waste Crackdown: The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has launched a new task force as part of a move to tackle waste crime.
Published Date: 4th December 2013
12th
Business Laws
International Law: The Government announces a new scheme to simplify the visa application process for Omani, Qatari and UAE travellers.
Published Date: 9th December 2013
Court Rulings
EU Ruling: Couples in same-sex civil partnerships are entitled to the same employee benefits as married couples, the EU Court of Justice rules.
Ruling Date: 12th December 2013
13th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Ministry of Justice consults on proposals relating to the fees paid by claims management companies.
Response Deadline: 13th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Department for Transport has launched a call for evidence on the development of the advanced biofuels sector.
Published Date: 13th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission launches a consultation on the regulatory and administrative framework for tourism SMEs.
Published Date: 13th December 2013
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Government announces plans to introduce a 'kitemark' which firms bidding for contracts will be required to meet.
Published Date: 12th December 2013
EU Laws
EU Regulation: A new consumer rights bill affecting door-to-door sales, off-premises sales and distance selling comes into effect from June 2014.
Start Date: 13th December 2013
16th
Business Laws
New Regulation: In the 2013 Autumn Statement, plans were announced to abolish mandatory quarterly reporting requirements for UK-listed companies.
Published Date: 5th December 2013
Business Laws
New Regulation: Ofcom announces plans to cap premium rate call charges and make mobile calls to free-phone numbers free of charge from June 2015.
Published Date: 12th December 2013
17th
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: The Equality and Human Rights Commission consults on recruitment and employment practices in the cleaning sector.
Response Deadline: 17th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government launches a consultation on proposals to amend the recycling targets for glass packaging.
Published Date: 17th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission launches a consultation on enhancing the information provided to consumers when purchasing furniture products.
Published Date: 11th December 2013
18th
Regulator Services
New Scheme: The Government announces a new initiative to encourage households and businesses to better manage resources and reduce waste.
Published Date: 11th December 2013
Compliance Guidance
Regulator Guidance: The Digital Trading Standards Group renews its crackdown on online adverts appearing against inappropriate or illegal content.
Published Date: 17th December 2013
Business Laws
New Scheme: The Government announces a new initiative to allow businesses and trade bodies to have a greater say on how regulation is enforced.
Published Date: 17th December 2013
19th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government launches a consultation on implementing the CfD regime as part of the electricity market reforms.
Published Date: 19th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government launches a consultation on the problems identified around the use of zero hours employment contracts.
Published Date: 19th December 2013
Compliance Guidance
Regulator Guide: The Information Commissioner's Office issues new guidance for app developers on data protection in mobile applications.
Published Date: 19th December 2013
20th
Business Laws
New Initiative: Ofgem has approved new powers for the National Grid to offer businesses cash incentives to reduce their electricity use.
Published Date: 19th December 2013
Business Laws
Regulation Update: Phonepayplus has suspended the ICSS prior permission regime pending the resolution of a legal challenge.
Published Date: 6th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Department of Energy and Climate Change consults on the proposed revocation of a number of orders relating to the Gas Act.
Response Deadline: 20th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calls for evidence on the operation of the proposed carrier bag levy.
Response Deadline: 20th December 2013
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Health and Safety Executive consults on a proposal to consolidate the GMO (Contained Use) regulations.
Response Deadline: 20th December 2013
22nd
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: European Commission decides not to impose regulations on fracking in the EU.
Published Date: 22nd December 2013
31st
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission consults on draft guidelines on the conditions under which state aid may be given to firms in difficulty.
Response Deadline: 31st December 2013
