Business Diary: UK Regulations - December 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: From 1 December 2014, it will be a criminal offence for employers to request an enforced subject access request.
Start Date: 1st December 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: New legislation in regard to shared parental leave and pay comes into force on 1 December 2014.
Start Date: 1st December 2014
Compliance Guidance
Compliance Alert: Irwin Mitchell is warning that businesses could face discrimination claims if they ignore the implementation date for ShPL.
Published Date: 1st December 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: From 1 December 2014, landlords in the West Midlands will be required to carry out right to rent checks.
Start Date: 1st December 2014
2nd
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to Moore Stephens, directors in 30% of insolvency cases have been reported to the Insolvency Service's Disqualification Unit for unfit conduct.
Published Date: 1st December 2014
3rd
Legal Statistics
IP Statistics: According to the ITMA, firms have seen a 45% increase in requests for payment from unofficial trade mark registers.
Published Date: 1st December 2014
4th
Court Rulings
UK Ruling: High Court ruling on the procedures companies must follow if they want to challenge contractors' demands for interim payment.
Ruling Date: 3rd December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Government has launched a consultation on extending the growth duty and applying the Small Business Appeals Champions policy.
Published Date: 3rd December 2014
5th
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the DVLA consultation on implementing in the UK the European Driving Licence Directives.
Published Date: 4th December 2014
EU Laws
EU Regulation: Justice ministers have agreed on modernised rules to give viable businesses a second chance when facing insolvency.
Published Date: 4th December 2014
8th
Business Laws
New Regulation: Changes to Scotland's land registration system will come into effect from 8 December 2014.
Start Date: 8th December 2014
EU Laws
Regulator Activity: The European Patent Office and the Israel Patent Office have signed a deal to introduce a PPH pilot programme.
Published Date: 5th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills launches a consultation on proposed changes to the Prompt Payment Code.
Published Date: 6th December 2014
EU Laws
EU Regulation: The EU Council has adopted plans to improve customs risk management and strengthen supply chain security.
Published Date: 5th December 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: An EU Council regulation amending trade sanctions against Russia comes into force on 6 December 2014.
Published Date: 5th December 2014
9th
Compliance Guidance
Export Guide: The Government has updated guidance for UK exporters on the implications of trade sanctions against Russia.
Published Date: 9th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The European Commission launches a consultation on exemptions from the substance restrictions in the RoHS Directive.
Published Date: 7th December 2014
Crackdowns & Amnesty
Regulator Amnesty: HMRC launches a new scheme offering solicitors the opportunity to bring their tax affairs up to date or face tougher penalties.
Published Date: 8th December 2014
10th
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: CAP consultation on proposals to amend rules in the sales promotion section of the CAP code.
Response Deadline: 16th December 2014
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: According to Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, 27% of employers are failing to comply with DSE eyecare regulations.
Published Date: 9th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: BIS launches a consultation on proposals to nullify bans on invoice assignment contract clauses.
Published Date: 6th December 2014
11th
Regulator Services
IP Alert: The Intellectual Property Office issues a warning on fake EPO and OHIM invoices being sent to UK businesses and individuals.
Published Date: 10th December 2014
Regulator Services
IP Services: The Intellectual Property Office has launched a new online support tool to help businesses protect their IP.
Published Date: 10th December 2014
Compliance Guidance
Compliance Alert: The Gambling Commission (GC) is reminding software suppliers supplying GC-licensed firms that they must apply for a GSL.
Published Date: 5th December 2014
12th
Business Laws
New Regulation: Under proposed changes to the CRB, firms will be able to include contract terms excluding them from liability for damage caused by their digital content.
Published Date: 9th December 2014
Compliance Guidance
Immigration Guide: The Home Office has updated guidance for landlords, homeowners and letting agents affected by right to rent checks.
Published Date: 11th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The EU Commission has launched a public consultation on its review of the Working Time Directive.
Published Date: 1st December 2014
13th
Business Laws
New Regulation: Legislation on food labelling requirements is due to take effect from 13 December 2014.
Start Date: 13th December 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: Legislation making provision for new food labelling requirements will come into effect from 13 December 2014.
Start Date: 13th December 2014
15th
Compliance Guidance
IP Guide: The Intellectual Property Office has published new guidance for rights holders on how to value their intellectual property.
Published Date: 12th December 2014
Compliance Guidance
IP Guide: The Intellectual Property Office has published new guidance for rights holders on licensing intellectual property.
Published Date: 12th December 2014
16th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: DEFRA launches a consultation on draft regulations for dealing with seized vehicles in suspected waste offences.
Published Date: 15th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: DEFRA launches a consultation on implementing provisions of the new EU F-gases regulation in the UK.
Published Date: 16th December 2014
17th
Compliance Guidance
HR Guide: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has updated guidance for firms on moving to employee ownership.
Published Date: 17th December 2014
Compliance Guidance
Legal Alert: Irwin Mitchell warns that dilapidation disputes are set to soar as almost 2,500 office leases are due to expire in 2015.
Published Date: 16th December 2014
Compliance Guidance
Regulator Guide: The Insolvency Service has updated guidance for company directors on the insolvency process.
Published Date: 16th December 2014
19th
Regulator Services
HR Services: The Government has launched a new service offering advice for dealing with long-term sickness absence in the workplace.
Published Date: 16th December 2014
Business Laws
New Regulation: The Government has announced legislative amendments to limit the impact on businesses of a recent EAT holiday pay ruling.
Published Date: 18th December 2014
Court Rulings
EU Ruling: Obesity can constitute a disability where it "hinders the full and effective participation" of an employee, the EU Court of Justice rules.
Ruling Date: 18th December 2014
22nd
EU Laws
New Regulation: European Union cap on fees charged for paying with debit or credit cards.
Ruling Date: 17th December 2014
23rd
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Publication of responses to a government consultation on pedlary and street trading regimes.
Published Date: 22nd December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: Financial Conduct Authority consultation on new rules regarding the regulation of fixed income, commodity and currency benchmarks.
Published Date: 22nd December 2014
Compliance Guidance
Best Practice Guide: European Banking Authority guidelines on internet payment security, effective from August 2015.
Published Date: 22nd December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Outcome of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills consultation on draft legislation amending street trading and pedlary laws.
Published Date: 23rd December 2014
24th
Regulation Consultations
Law Consultation: The Food Standards Agency consults on proposed amendments to guidance on feed law enforcement in Northern Ireland.
Response Deadline: 24th December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Consultation Report: Summary of responses to a government consultation on end of tenancy compensation and repair of equipment.
Published Date: 23rd December 2014
Regulation Consultations
Regulator Consultation: Department for Transport consultation on measures for overall driver and MOT test quality and vehicle compliance.
Response Deadline: 6th February 2015
EU Laws
EU Proposals: UK government objects to EU proposals stating that firms must acquire unambiguous consent "for one or more specific purposes" before processing individuals' data.
Published Date: 19th December 2014
29th
Compliance Guidance
Law Guide: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has updated guidance for employers on shared parental leave and pay.
Published Date: 29th December 2014
30th
Legal Statistics
Law Statistics: The Business Minister has said that the Red Tape Challenge has saved UK businesses £10 billion over the last four years.
Published Date: 30th December 2014
31st
Business Laws
New Regulation: Updated controls on exports dual-use goods, software and technology will come into force from 31 December 2014.
Start Date: 31st December 2014
Regulatory Deadlines
Account Filing Deadline: Private businesses filing company accounts for year ending 31 March 2014 must do so by 31 December 2014.
Submission Deadline: 31st December 2014
