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.

Learn more about this at an online webinar

The UK Export Academy is running an online session on Friday 13th December that covers this regulation change. What you’ll learn:

• Understand your role in the supply of goods from this regulation’s perspective
• Understand your full obligations based on the role you play
• Understand market surveillance and how to ensure compliance so your goods continue to move freely into the EU after 13th December 2024.

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.

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.

A confirmation statement (previously known as an annual return) is where a company confirms that the information that Companies House holds on it is accurate and up to date.

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. 

Registered email address - all companies now need to provide a registered email address for communication purposes. New companies will need to do so when they incorporate; existing companies need to do so in their next confirmation statement.

Statement to confirm the company is lawful - all companies now need to confirm that the intended future activities of the company will be lawful.

Learn more about filing a confirmation statement.

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.