News Regulation Changes
NEWS FOCUS 9
News Regulation Changes
October 2007 regulation changes
A number of new and changing regulations came into effect on 1 October and affect all businesses :
Taxes & Finance
Under the Companies Act 2006 , the range of new measures include : A new statutory statement setting out directors ’ duties and responsibilities ; removal of the requirement to hold annual general meetings unless you decide to do so ; easier decision making by written resolution of the company ’ s shareholders . There will be certain changes to VAT invoicing for businesses that sell to business customers in other member states and / or those who use Margin Schemes or Tour Operators ’ Scheme in the United Kingdom .
Employment
- Increases in national minimum wage rates . - If you provide all your workers an annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks , you do not have to make any changes . However , if your workers do not yet receive a holiday entitlement of 28 days per year - which can include bank and public holidays - your business will have to change its holiday entitlement policy and related outgoings . This is a twophased process - four additional days apply as of October 2007 and the final four days as of April 2009 . - The right of private foster carers and people with residence orders to request flexible working will apply to very few individuals and to even fewer businesses . - The only other employment laws that could still meet the CCD in-force date would affect employment agencies rather than all employers . However , the expected changes are likely only to apply as of April 2008 .
Health & Safety
- New workplace exposure limits ( WELs ) will apply in the chemical and other manufacturing industries and coal-mining industries . These sectors must use appropriate work procedures , testing methodologies and health surveillance systems to keep worker exposure to certain hazardous substances or coal dust below new lower levels .
Environment
If your business activities relate to primary food production , animals and / or the countryside . certain changes have been made : In order to monitor for zoonoses - ie diseases that can be transmitted to humans from domestic and wild animals - government inspectors will have new powers of entry to premises . - Holders of persistent organic pollutants should be aware of new bans and penalties that will come into effect .
Other
- Anyone in the retail sector that sells cigarettes , cigarette papers or any other tobacco products must cease to sell them to anyone younger than 18 . To fully comply with the law , all your signs and vending machine displays must clearly show the new minimum age . - All trade mark holders and applicants will find changes in the process for examining new trade mark applications and for opposing them . Briefly , this means that new trade mark applications will no longer be automatically blocked if there is an earlier conflicting mark . Those in residential property can expect certain changes : - when you demand a variable service charge and / or an administration charge from your tenants , you must provide a summary of tenants ’ rights and obligations at the same time - changes in licensing and management rules will apply to additional types of houses in multiple occupation Certain weight-based exemptions will also apply for the hallmarking of jewellery and other articles that incorporate small amounts of precious metals .
For further information visit Business Link at www . businesslink . gov . uk
ISSUE FIVE 2007 engage | uk