New rules for businesses selling to customers in Northern Ireland

New EU product safety rules are due to come into force from 13th December 2024 that will affect any small business in Great Britain that sells to customers in Northern Ireland (NI).

The regulations apply to new, repaired, used and reconditioned consumer products, and are aimed at ensuring that all consumer products placed on the NI and EU markets are safe, particularly those sold online. Under the EU General Product Safety Regulation, small businesses will have to name a 'responsible person' based in Northern Ireland. This person will be an official point of contact for product compliance and safety issues.

Export control webinars

Government webinars provide guidance on strategic export control licences and how to be compliant with UK export control laws.

New safety and security declaration requirements for importers

From 31st January 2025, imported goods from the EU to Great Britain will need a safety and security declaration submitted alongside it.

The government advises that:

• Carriers and hauliers are legally responsible for submitting the safety and security declarations, not a business that imports goods.
• If you import goods from the EU, your carrier may ask you, as the importer, or another party in the supply chain, to lodge the safety and security declaration on their behalf.
• If you have not already done so, you should now discuss with your haulier or carrier to understand their plans for submitting safety and security declarations for EU imports from 31st January 2025.
• Those ready to start submitting safety and security declarations before 31st January 2025 are encouraged to do so.
• Businesses that export from Great Britain or import from countries outside the EU are already required to submit safety and security declarations.

Consultation on right to renew business tenancies

The Law Commission has published a consultation paper considering how the right to renew business tenancies is working and whether it meets the needs of business tenants and landlords. The Commission would like to hear from businesses, landlords, their representative bodies and advisors, and anyone else affected by the legislation.

The current law gives business tenants the right to renew their tenancies when they expire, under certain conditions. The consultation asks if the current model remains the right approach, or if a different model is now needed.

More detail and a summary of the consultation paper can be read here. You can respond to the consultation here. It is open until 19th February 2025.

There is a webinar on February 4th for those wanting to learn more. There is also a survey you can take on the topic of business tenancies.

Company size thresholds to change from April 2025

New regulations increasing company size thresholds will be effective from April 2025, with new legislation set to increase the monetary size thresholds for micro, small and medium-sized organisations.

According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW): "The government estimates that the new regulations will result in around 113,000 companies and LLPs moving from the small to micro-entity category, 14,000 moving from medium-sized to small, and 6,000 moving from large to medium-sized. Companies able to move down a size category will be entitled to the accompanying reduction in reporting and audit requirements."

Changes to UK company law - action will be required

All companies will need to include additional information in future confirmation statements that they make to Companies House.

Companies must file a confirmation statement at least once a year, even if there have not been any changes since the last statement, and even if the company is dormant or isn't trading. As a result of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, there are changes to what is required within the confirmation statement, including providing a registered email address and a statement to confirm that the intended future activities of the company will be lawful.

Changes to recycling regulations for businesses

Government regulations will soon change the way that businesses need to dispose of their waste, specifically requiring businesses to separate recyclable materials from general waste.

The Simpler Recycling scheme means that: 

• By 31st March 2025, businesses with 10 or more employees will be required to recycle all waste such as metal, glass, plastic, paper, card, and food waste (excluding garden waste and plastic film).
• By 31st March 2027, businesses with fewer than 10 employees will be required to recycle all waste as above (excluding garden waste). Plastic film collections from all businesses will also begin by this date.

Routine spot checks may be carried out to check that businesses are complying with the regulations. Any businesses that do not comply with the regulations could face a fine.

Defra are running monthly online Business Readiness Forums to help businesses learn more about the new regulations. See the list of upcoming dates here.

Learn more about the new requirements for businesses on the Business of Recycling website, where you can also get tailored advice based on your business needs and use a business waste calculator to see how you can save money by recycling.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) produce a monthly newsletter that provides updates on these reforms. Businesses can sign up to receive this newsletter here.

New Fair Payment Code launched

A new Fair Payment Code has been launched by the Office of the Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade. It is aimed at rewarding best practice and driving improvements in payment performance.

New patents service to launch - volunteers sought to pilot the system

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched what it describes as the biggest services upgrade that it has had in more than 170 years of its history.

The One IPO Transformation Programme is the new patents service that is due to launch to the public in the first half of 2025, followed by a new service for trade marks, designs and IPO tribunals launching in 2026.

The IPO has worked with hundreds of patents customers to trial the service and ensure it meets the needs of customers. In July 2024, the very first patent application was filed on the new fully digital patents service.

Piloting the new service - the IPO are looking for more customers to take part in the pilot of the new patents service. You can learn more about this here and email [email protected] to express your interest in taking part.